| Entries |
| Document | Title | Date |
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| 20080201067 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR COLLECTING USER UPDATE REQUESTS REGARDING GEOGRAPHIC DATA TO SUPPORT AUTOMATED ANALYSIS, PROCESSING AND GEOGRAPHIC DATA UPDATES - A system and method provide functionality for collecting user update reports of geographic inconsistencies between geographic data and the real world to enable automated processing of updates to the geographic data. A user's input is collected and describes an anomaly, which is a geographic inconsistency between geographic data and the real world. The user's input is stored as language neutral structured data that enables automated processing of updates to the geographic data. Automatic processes that process the structured data include an email agent, an incident agent, a geographic augmentation agent, a case generation agent, a clustering agent, an automatic validation agent, and a monitoring service. Automatic and manual processes combined together handle processing of anomalies, as well as other related processing, and ultimately handle processing of updates to the geographic data to resolve the anomalies reported by the users. | 08-21-2008 |
| 20080208443 | MAP INTERFACE WITH DIRECTIONS FOR ALTERNATE MODE OF TRANSPORTATION - A map user interlace is described, including at least one view transmitted from a server computer system to a client computer system, the said at least one view including at least one map and a first path representing a first mode of transportation from a starting location to an end location displayed on the said at least one map, and a second path representing a second mode of transportation from a starting location to an end location displayed on the said at least one map, the second path being at least partially different from the first path. | 08-28-2008 |
| 20080208444 | Methods for obtaining a navigation track between a first and a second location based on location information shared between peer devices and related devices and computer program products - A first device is operated to obtain a navigation track between a first location and a second location by establishing a peer-to-peer communication connection with a second device and receiving a message that contains information associated with the first location and/or the second location from the second device. The information is associated with a navigation module on the first device. The information associated with the at least one of the first location and the second location is processed using the navigation module to obtain the navigation track between the first location and the second location. | 08-28-2008 |
| 20080215234 | Portable navigation device - A navigation device is configured to allocate display setting such as color schemes and screen contents to at least one ambient lighting condition, monitors and evaluates a signal indicative of ambient lighting conditions and determines whether display settings for the current ambient lighting conditions are already in use and to change display settings so that they suit current ambient lighting conditions if needed. | 09-04-2008 |
| 20080215235 | SELECTION AND INSERTION OF STATIC ELEMENTS IN DIGITAL MAPS - A navigation system may display route information that includes a display of the fixtures that are located on or near the route. The fixtures may be selected and inserted into the digital map as graphical objects. The graphical objects may be classified into a class and at least one sub-class. The classification data may be used to select and generate the graphical objects. | 09-04-2008 |
| 20080221785 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR COLLECTING USER UPDATE REQUESTS REGARDING GEOGRAPHIC DATA TO SUPPORT AUTOMATED ANALYSIS, PROCESSING AND GEOGRAPHIC DATA UPDATES - A system and method provide functionality for collecting user update reports of geographic inconsistencies between geographic data and the real world to enable automated processing of updates to the geographic data. A user's input is collected and describes an anomaly, which is a geographic inconsistency between geographic data and the real world. The user's input is stored as language neutral structured data that enables automated processing of updates to the geographic data. Automatic processes that process the structured data include an email agent, an incident agent, a geographic augmentation agent, a case generation agent, a clustering agent, an automatic validation agent, and a monitoring service. Automatic and manual processes combined together handle processing of anomalies, as well as other related processing, and ultimately handle processing of updates to the geographic data to resolve the anomalies reported by the users. | 09-11-2008 |
| 20080221786 | NAVIGATION SYSTEM AND ROADWAY SEARCH METHOD - The present invention provides a navigation system and roadway search method capable of easily searching for a roadway even if a user does not accurately know the name of the roadway. The navigation system includes an icon display unit that displays roadway icons by road type on a screen, and a search key setting unit that specifies a road type corresponding to the icon selected from the icons displayed on the screen, and sets a roadway name corresponding to the icon selected from the icons displayed on the screen as a search key through a user operation. The navigation system displays icons on the screen that are constituted by marks that are similar to marks actually used for roadways in paper maps or road signs. Thus the user is able to search for a roadway without needing to know the complete name of the desired roadway. | 09-11-2008 |
| 20080234924 | SERVICE PROVISION SYSTEM AND RENDERING EXECUTION METHOD - Disclosed is a service provision system including a server which includes application service programs, selects a program corresponding to profile data according to a service start request, and transmits rendering information selected by a data request; an in-vehicle information terminal which includes first profile data representing a terminal specification and performs a rendering process using a texture in the terminal by a rendering command; and a portable information device which includes second profile data representing a device specification, identifies a connection status with the terminal, and transmits the data request using the first or second profile data. The portable information device includes a data request transmission unit to transmit the data request using the first profile data, and a rendering command transmission unit to generate the rendering command based on the rendering information and transmit the rendering command to the terminal, when the connection with the terminal is identified. | 09-25-2008 |
| 20080243367 | Method and apparatus for displaying simplified map image for navigation system - The display method and apparatus for a navigation system interchangeably displays a normal map image and a simplified map image in accordance with a user's preference and complexity of the map image. The method includes the steps of checking whether a simple map mode or a normal map mode is set for displaying a map image on a monitor screen of the navigation system, determining which map elements are selected to be displayed when the simple map mode is set, and displaying the map image with only the selected map elements when the simple map mode is set while displaying the map image with all the map elements when the normal map mode is set. The navigation system is designed to switch between the normal map mode and the simple map mode either manually or automatically. | 10-02-2008 |
| 20080243368 | NAVIGATION APPARATUS - A navigation apparatus executes a navigation operation using information obtained from a map database. The navigation apparatus has a basic function unit that performs processing related to the navigation operation, and a data access unit that, in response to a request from the basic function unit, acquires data including information requested by the basic function unit from the map database, performs conversion on the data acquired from the map database according to the format of the map database to obtain data in a prescribed data form that is not dependent on the format of the map database, and passes the data in the prescribed data form to the basic function unit. | 10-02-2008 |
| 20080243369 | Navigation apparatus and method for street search - When a character string for a street search is input in a vehicle navigation apparatus, street data are searched, and all streets which include the character string for the street search in the formal street name character string are extracted. The extracted street is displayed, in a list format on a display screen, by using a portion of the formal street name string that is registered as a proper noun part of the formal street name character string. The extracted streets are sorted in the list format so that a street with the proper noun part including the character string for searches comes to the top of listing of the extracted streets, thereby making it easy to find out a desired street in the listing of the extracted streets. | 10-02-2008 |
| 20080249701 | Method and apparatus for searching polygon object through map database of navigation system - A method and apparatus for searching polygon objects defined by polygon data in the map database of a navigation system when such polygon objects are not associated with any POIs. The method includes the steps of creating a data table which arranges information on the polygon objects in the map database based on polygon names, creating a data table which arranges information on the polygon objects in the map database based on polygon locations, prompting a user to specify a desired polygon object through a screen of the navigation system either by a polygon name or a polygon location, retrieving candidate polygon objects from the corresponding data tables that match inputs specified by the user and display a list of the retrieved polygon objects in a predetermined order, and allowing the user to finalize selection of the desired polygon object. | 10-09-2008 |
| 20080262713 | MAP INFORMATION DISPLAY APPARATUS AND METHOD THEREOF - A map information display apparatus that displays a map for a mobile object includes: a grouping unit ( | 10-23-2008 |
| 20080270017 | Asynchronous inertial navigation system - A asynchronous inertial navigation system uses two asynchronous clocks, a first clock for an inertial measurement unit and a second clock for an inertial navigation processor, where the inertial measurement unit communicates asynchronously rate data samples to the inertial navigation processor that measures the time separation of the received rate data samples for computing a navigation solution using an asynchronously attached inertial measurement unit. | 10-30-2008 |
| 20080270018 | Method for Course Prediction in Driver Assistance Systems for Motor Vehicles - In a method for course prediction in driver assistance systems for motor vehicles, a dynamic course hypothesis is created on the basis of vehicle-dynamics data of the vehicle, which method includes the following steps:
| 10-30-2008 |
| 20080275630 | Venue Guiding Assistance System, Apparatus and Method - An interactive system, apparatus and/or method for operative use within a venue ( | 11-06-2008 |
| 20080275631 | On-Vehicle Map Display Apparatus, Map Display Method - This on-vehicle map display apparatus comprises a map scale setting unit that sets a map scale, a summary map generation unit that generates a summary map by abbreviating road shapes if a map scale that is less than a predetermined scale is set by the map scale setting unit, a summary map display control unit that displays the summary map generated by the summary map generation unit upon a display monitor, a congestion information acquisition unit that acquires congestion information, and a congestion information display control unit that displays the congestion information acquired by the congestion information acquisition unit as superimposed upon the summary map displayed upon the display monitor by the summary map display control unit. | 11-06-2008 |
| 20080275632 | VEHICLE NAVIGATION USER INTERFACE CUSTOMIZATION METHODS - Apparatus and methods are directed to the use and customization of user interfaces associated with vehicle navigation systems. Aspects of this customizability may include selection of interface “skins,” selection of context for clarification, and autocompletion functions. The navigator may be a wireless client server navigation system comprising mobile clients used for requesting and receiving guidance from a central server that houses databases of geographical information. The options to be customized may include images, icons, controls, menus, colors, symbols, or shapes that are added, removed, or moved on the display. The options may be selected using equipment external to the navigation system; for example, the options may be selected using a computer connected to the Internet. The options may also be entered by way of a spoken command. If a letter, word, or phrase received by the navigator is not understood, the method proceeds with the steps of: searching a database for potential matching letters, words, or phrases; querying the user with the potential matching letters, words, or phrases; and, if the user selects one of the potential matching letters, words, or phrases: performing an operating associated with the potential matching letters, words, or phrases. | 11-06-2008 |
| 20080275633 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR REDUCING DATA TRANSMISSION IN WIRELESS CLIENT-SERVER NAVIGATION SYSTEMS - Methods and apparatus reduce data transmission in a wireless client-server navigation system. A request for data representative of a map-related feature is received at a central server from a mobile unit. Data describing the feature is obtained in the form of line segments interconnecting points having coordinates such as a shapefile or other format. An operation is performed on the data describing the feature to generate data representative of the feature in a data-reduced format, and the data representative of the feature in the data-reduced format is forwarded to the mobile unit issuing the request. The operation responsible for producing the data-reduced format includes the steps of: receiving data describing a map; partitioning the map into a plurality of tiles; designating a reference point within each tile; representing the feature in the form of offsets from the reference points; and wherein the data-reduced format is based upon the reference points and offsets. Alternatively, the operation may include the steps of approximating the feature with a curve, whereby the data-reduced format includes a description of the curve. In a further alternative embodiment, the operation includes the steps of removing one or more of the points having the coordinates, leaving a plurality of remaining points describing the feature, such that the reduced-data format is represented with line segments interconnecting the remaining points. | 11-06-2008 |
| 20080275634 | MAP INFORMATION DISPLAY APPARATUS AND METHOD THEREOF - A map information display apparatus that displays a map for a mobile object includes: a grouping unit ( | 11-06-2008 |
| 20080275635 | Method for recognizing traveling lane and making lane change - Methods and systems for recognizing a vehicle traveling lane and making a lane change are provided. Preferred methods and systems recognize the lane on which a vehicle is traveling and if the vehicle speed of that lane is noticeably slower compared to others, then the vehicle receives an order to move to a faster lane if an open space for changing lanes is available, which can provide more efficient use of the roadway. | 11-06-2008 |
| 20080294332 | Method for Image Based Navigation Route Corridor For 3D View on Mobile Platforms for Mobile Users - The invention proposes a method for displaying an image based navigation route corridor for 3D view on mobile platforms for mobile users. The invention comprises the combination of some technical solutions. 1. Display of a relevant area around a selected or calculated route (route corridor). 2. Selection of the relevant area that is a small dataset. 3. Creation of the customized route corridor dataset. 4. Provide 3D viewers ability to allow the display of the created route corridor in 2D, isometric view, or 3D perspective and then allow 3D maneuverability over the created route corridor. Combination of these technical solutions comprises a method of facilitating the display of the route corridor on mobile computing platform in 3D perspective. | 11-27-2008 |
| 20080300777 | COMPUTER-CONTROLLED POWER WHEELCHAIR NAVIGATION SYSTEM - A wheelchair navigation system for a motorized wheelchair includes dual cameras, proximity sensors, microphones, and rotation sensors for the wheels. Small markers are placed on the walls of a location or room. The navigation system uses the proximity sensors, rotation sensors and cameras in conjunction with the specialized software to determine where objects or impediments are located in the room and thereby redirect the path of the wheelchair so as to avoid such objects. The wheelchair is walked through the marked location thereby ‘teaching’ various paths which are recorded in the computer and recalled later when the wheelchair is in use. The proximity sensor perform sensing operations during performance of the teaching functions for thereby permitting avoidance of wheelchair collision with obstacles during navigation of the wheelchair through a taught trajectory and allowing for close approach of the wheelchair to solid bodies present during performance of the teaching functions. | 12-04-2008 |
| 20080300778 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PERSONALIZING TRIP ASSISTANCE ON A DIGITAL MAP - A navigation system and method for personalizing trip assistance on a digital map for a user, including data, software (application) and hardware (H/W) components that track a trip of the user, log the trip data in a data base, classify the logged trip data by time of day, day of week and date, process and analyze the trip data, and store and retrieve the results of the analyzed trip data to assist the user. | 12-04-2008 |
| 20080300779 | NAVIGATION SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE - A navigation system includes a communication port in a vehicle, a hand held portable unit, and a wireless communication between the portable unit and the communication port when the portable unit is in the vehicle. The portable unit has a position locator and is capable of establishing a geographical position of the portable unit. The portable unit is removable from the vehicle by an occupant of the vehicle. An information display may be disposed on, at or within an interior rearview mirror assembly of the vehicle, and may display navigational information for viewing by a driver of the vehicle. The navigational information may be derived from the wireless communication between the portable unit and the communication port. | 12-04-2008 |
| 20080306679 | Information processing apparatus for movable body and vehicle navigation apparatus - A navigation apparatus acquires, through an antenna and a receiver, external information such as traffic information or the like, and a control unit in the navigation apparatus acquires validity time information from the external information. If the validity time information includes a standard time that represents a current time, the standard time together with a relative time or period information in the validity time information is used for determining whether a valid period has passed. If the validity time information does not include the standard time representing the current time, the lapse of the valid period is determined based on the standard time generated by a standard time generator and one of the relative time and the period information in the validity time information. Then, the external information is invalidated by deleting the information from an information storage if it is determined that the valid period has passed. | 12-11-2008 |
| 20080312814 | Data Presentation for Navigation System - An in-car navigation system ( | 12-18-2008 |
| 20080312815 | INTERACTIVE TOUCH SCREEN LOCATOR AND GUIDE - An interactive system that allows a user to input a list of desired products and receive guidance regarding the location of the desired products within a store. In one embodiment, the system can provide the user with time or distance efficient navigation instructions and/or can provide the user with suggested and/or alternate products. | 12-18-2008 |
| 20080312816 | Evaluating Method for Identifying Streets to Drive Onto - The invention relates to an evaluating method for identifying traveled streets, which, for example are subject to a toll, by means of measured values, for example the position and driving direction as detected by the motor vehicle. The course of roads leading to a decision point are recorded in the evaluating device in an exclusive or preponderant manner said courses are re-recorded respectively at a distance from the decision point, where the measured values of sensors arranged in a motor vehicle provide at least one unique value situated within tolerances which makes it possible to unambiguously identify one of the alternative road courses that have been traveled. The invention makes it possible to reliably distinguish between the roads traveled and those that do not lead to the decision point. | 12-18-2008 |
| 20080319640 | Route Guidance System and Method - A routing guide system includes route calculating means for calculating the route of a vehicle to a destination, image providing means for reading from storage means scenery images on the route calculated by the route calculating means, and display means for displaying the scenery images on the calculated route generated by the image providing means. The routing guide system also includes route confirming means for confirming as a set route the route calculated by the route calculating means, according to an operation, during or after display of the scenery images on the calculated route by means of the display means. | 12-25-2008 |
| 20080319641 | Road map data generation apparatus, road map data generation system, and method for generating road map data - In a road map data generation apparatus, existing primary road map data is subjected to a deletion process according to a deletion rule to delete a portion of the data. Thus, reduced road map data is generated for a storage medium such as a memory card having a data volume smaller than the primary road map data. A navigation apparatus using the reduced road map data stored in the memory card records a restoration rule pairing with the deletion rule. Based on the restoration rule, the reduced road map data can be restored to the primary road map data. Thus, the deletion rule can decrease the data volume of the primary data to thereby generate the reduced data, whereas the restoration rule can restore the reduced data to the primary data in the navigation apparatus. This helps prevent worsening of the quality of the road map data and lowering of the user's satisfaction. | 12-25-2008 |
| 20090005961 | En-Route Navigation Display Method and Apparatus Using Head-Up Display - In an en-route navigation system such as for a vehicle, an image of a cable is presented as a navigation object in a head-up display to indicate a route that the vehicle should follow. In particular embodiments the cable appears to an observer to be a real cable existing in the landscape and extending higher than the head of the observer as would, for example, a trolley cable. The cable is illustratively displayed volumetrically and with an optic flow that is consistent with the optic flow of the landscape when the vehicle is moving, thereby creating the impression that it is real. As a result, the cable can be displayed without any accompanying images that correlate points on the cable with locations in the landscape and yet nonetheless serve as a very useful tool for indicating to a driver the route over which the vehicle should go. The cable may be in any of a number of forms including a continuous line, a line with non-closely-spaced gaps, a line having non-closely-spaced segments that have a different luminance from the rest of the line or a string of closely-spaced objects. | 01-01-2009 |
| 20090005962 | Route Display Device and Navigation Device - A route display device ( | 01-01-2009 |
| 20090012702 | Navigation Apparatus - A navigation apparatus includes a map information updating means ( | 01-08-2009 |
| 20090012703 | Own-Vehicle-Path Determining Method and Own-Vehicle-Path Determining Apparatus - An own-vehicle-path determining method includes calculating a first evaluation value of each of plural predicted own-vehicle-path candidates, calculating a second evaluation value of each of the plural own-vehicle-path candidates, selecting own-vehicle-path candidates with high first evaluation values from the plural own-vehicle-path candidates, selecting own-vehicle-path candidates with high second evaluation values as appropriate own-vehicle-path candidates from the selected own-vehicle-path candidates, and selecting any one of the appropriate own-vehicle-path candidates as an own-vehicle path. | 01-08-2009 |
| 20090012704 | Retail Store Product Location Service System and Method - In accordance with the present invention, provided is a product location system comprising an interface to a network accessible by a user equipment and configured to receive a user request for location of at least one product and a store/product location system comprising a database identifying stores and product locations within the stores and configured to return a product location within a store for each of the at least one product. | 01-08-2009 |
| 20090012705 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR DATA COMMUNICATION FOR MOBILE ELECTRONIC DEVICES - According to one embodiment of the invention, a method for discovering the presence of at least one source and target mobile device, automatically displaying a graphical interface to show the dataset from the source mobile device, and initiating the transmission of data between the mobile devices, is provided. The method further includes automatically receiving the dataset from the source mobile device, where the dataset is at least a representation of the data on the source device. In one embodiment, the representation is a subset of the data on the device and/or a description of the data on the mobile device. In another embodiment, a method for a navigation system to discover the presence of at least one mobile device, to automatically receive data from the mobile device, and to process the data with navigation operations, is provided. | 01-08-2009 |
| 20090018762 | Navigation system and method using modulated celestial radiation sources - A system and method for navigation utilizes sources of modulated celestial radiation. A spacecraft, satellite, or other vehicle ( | 01-15-2009 |
| 20090018763 | PROGRAM RECORDING DEVICE, PROGRAM RECORDING METHOD, PROGRAM RECORDING PROGRAM, AND COMPUTER-READABLE RECORDING MEDIUM - A program recording device includes a route searching unit ( | 01-15-2009 |
| 20090024311 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DISPLAYING TERRAIN ELEVATION INFORMATION - A method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for presenting terrain elevation information on a vehicle display. In one advantageous embodiment, a swath representing an area ahead of the vehicle is identified, wherein the swath has a length and a width. A two dimensional elevation view is presented on the vehicle display, wherein a vertical axis of the two dimensional elevation view represents a highest elevation along a width of a swath for a particular point along the length of the swath. The width of the swath is updated in response to vehicle movement to form an updated swath width. The two dimensional elevation view is updated using the updated swath width. | 01-22-2009 |
| 20090024312 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR UPDATING NAVIGATION INFORMATION - A method and system for updating navigation information are disclosed. The method includes the steps of connecting to a navigation information update system, determining if at least one navigation information update is available from the navigation information update system, if the at least one navigation information update is available from the navigation information update system, determining if an intended recipient of the at least one navigation information update is available or unavailable for an update. If the intended recipient of the at least one navigation information update is determined to be unavailable for an update, the method downloads the at least one navigation information update to a navigation information cache onboard the intended recipient or a processing unit not onboard the intended recipient, and if the intended recipient of the at least one navigation information update is determined to be available for the update, the method downloads the at least one navigation information update to the navigation information cache onboard the intended recipient, and installs the at least one navigation information update in a navigation information system onboard the intended recipient. | 01-22-2009 |
| 20090024313 | Method For Operating A Mobile Navigation Device - A method for operating a mobile navigation device in a vehicle. The vehicle is equipped with a radio device and wherein the navigation device encompasses at least one device for generating maneuvering instructions and a transmitter device for generating radio signals and wherein signals can be transmitted by the navigation device to the receiving part of the radio device by means of the transmitter device. The method includes the following method steps: a) computing a maneuvering display including a maneuvering instruction, which is to be displayed graphically; b) encoding the maneuvering display as a radio signal; and c) transmitting the maneuvering display, which is encoded as a radio signal, by the transmitter device of the navigation device, for transmitting the maneuvering display to the radio device. | 01-22-2009 |
| 20090024314 | MAP SCROLLING METHOD AND NAVIGATION TERMINAL - Disclosed is a method for enabling the user to easily and rapidly access a map image of a desired position in a navigation terminal. When a touch input through a touch screen is generated in a route guidance mode, a virtual scroll button having the form of a multi-directional keypad is displayed, and a dragging direction and a dragging displacement are calculated through the button. Then, map scrolling is performed according to the calculated dragging direction and dragging displacement, thereby displaying a corresponding map image. Accordingly, the user can easily and rapidly move the map image, making it possible to easily find a map image of a desired position. | 01-22-2009 |
| 20090030598 | Navigation apparatuses, methods, and programs - Navigation apparatuses, methods, and programs having conducted a search for an original driving route that goes through a plurality of destinations in a designated order and provided route guidance based on the original driving route, receive an input of a new destination. Upon receipt of the new destination, the apparatuses, methods, and programs designate an ordinal position of the new destination in terms of the designated order and receive an input of a destination change request. When the destination change request is received, the apparatuses, methods, and programs automatically delete one or more of the destinations in ordinal positions within the designated order that are before the ordinal position of the new destination, conduct a new search for a new driving route based on the new destination, and output the new driving route. When an added destination request is received, the apparatuses, methods, and programs conduct a search for the new driving route including the new destination, without deleting destinations in ordinal positions within the designated order that are before the ordinal position of the new destination. | 01-29-2009 |
| 20090030599 | Navigation apparatuses, methods, and programs - Navigation apparatuses, methods, and programs store a plurality of destinations, each destination being associated with a plurality of types of search items. The apparatuses, methods, and programs input a first search character and retrieve the destinations in which the input search character exists in one of the associated search items. The apparatuses, methods, and programs temporarily store the retrieved destinations in association with the search item in which the input character exists. The apparatuses, methods, and programs input a second search character and narrow down the temporarily stored destinations by deleting the temporarily stored destinations in which the second search character does not exist in any of the associated search items. The apparatuses, methods, and programs display the narrowed down destinations as candidate destinations, permit selection of one of the displayed candidate destinations, and provide route guidance to the selected destination. | 01-29-2009 |
| 20090037090 | Navigation apparatus and program of the same - A navigation apparatus of a vehicle includes: storage means for storing information about the vehicle and a road area; and guide route calculating means for calculating a guide route on the basis of the information stored in the storage means. The navigation apparatus determines whether to avoid an entry of the vehicle into the road area on the basis of the information about the vehicle and the road area. | 02-05-2009 |
| 20090043488 | Navigation system, server, method, and program - Navigation systems, servers, methods, and programs for a vehicle store a plurality of nodes representing branch points and guide the vehicle along a travel route. The systems, servers, methods, and programs detect, at a branch point where the travel route branches off into another route, that the vehicle abandoned advancing along the travel route after trying to advance, and store a result of the detection in the memory. | 02-12-2009 |
| 20090048771 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TRAVEL ROUTE PLANNING USING SAFETY METRICS - Systems and methods are described to receive a safety preference; calculate a temporary route; analyze a portion of the temporary route to determine whether the portion is sufficiently safe based on the safety preference; modify the portion of the temporary route when the portion is not sufficiently safe; and present the temporary route. Other systems and methods are described. | 02-19-2009 |
| 20090048772 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SEARCHING TARGET LOCATION - Provided are a method and apparatus for searching for a target location using a reference point and a relative location in relation to the reference point, the method comprising receiving a reference point related to the target location; receiving relative location information relating to from the reference point to the target location; and then searching for the target location based on the reference point and the relative location information. | 02-19-2009 |
| 20090055087 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR DISPLAYING AND AUTOMATIC DYNAMIC RE-DISPLAYING OF POINTS OF INTEREST WITH GRAPHIC IMAGE - Systems and methods for displaying maps and points such as points corresponding to points of interest on displayed maps are disclosed, the display of the points being dynamically and automatically altered in response to alterations in the displayed maps. The systems and methods include providing a map view and points therefor in response to a user request, as well as supplying preloaded map records for map views and points records so that the records and points are ready for display in the event the user selects actions to change the displayed view, such as by panning or zooming. For instance, the systems and methods may include AJAX techniques to download a library of points, as well as map records, a subset of which is initially displayed and a second subset is displayed in response to the user actions. | 02-26-2009 |
| 20090070028 | COMPUTER-IMPLEMENTED METHOD, SYSTEM AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR TRANSMISSION OF FEEDBACK INFORMATION - To support user-friendly services for error reporting or for possible feedback information on faulty or outdated digital maps and/or additional services of navigation systems, a computer-implemented method, system and computer program product for transmission of feedback-information is provided, the method comprising receiving a first message comprising a registered error in a digital map at a server from a user over a mobile device; and sending a second message for a possibility of providing feedback-information from the server to the user over a network, wherein the second message comprises the registered error and context information on the registered error. | 03-12-2009 |
| 20090076718 | Navigation Sign - This invention relates to signs and cartography, and provides a sign which makes it easier for tourists to find their way around a town or city. In particular the invention provides a navigation sign ( | 03-19-2009 |
| 20090076719 | System to navigate within images spatially referenced to a computed space - A system for navigating images spatially referenced to a plurality of location coordinates from at least one coordinate location within a computed space provides travel with a non-linear itinerary. Specifically, serial navigation of a plurality of geographic images spatially referenced to location coordinates of a geo-planar space from a selected coordinate location within each prior geographic image. | 03-19-2009 |
| 20090082951 | Intelligent Restriction of Device Operations - A navigation system includes a user interface for detecting touch input. The system uses touch input to determine if a driver or passenger is operating the navigation system. If the system determines that the driver is operating the system, then an action is initiated (e.g., the user interface is locked down, a warning is provided). The navigation system allows a passenger in the vehicle to operate the navigation system while the vehicle is in motion. In an aspect, additional or other sensors (e.g., seat sensor, seat belt sensor, infrared sensor) can be used to detect whether a driver or passenger is operating the navigation system while the vehicle is in motion. | 03-26-2009 |
| 20090088962 | APPARATUS FOR AND METHOD OF PROVIDING DATA TO AN EXTERNAL APPLICATION - A method of providing data to an external application is provided. The location and time of an object are periodically recorded to form a record of sightings. The record of sightings is then analysed in accordance with at least one criterion specified by the external application to which the data is to be provided. Lists of sightings from the record meeting the at least one criterion are supplied for use by the external application. | 04-02-2009 |
| 20090088963 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GEOGRAPHIC INTERPOLATION OF TRAFFIC DATA - A method for geographic interpolation of traffic data in a vehicle navigation system in which the navigation system includes a map database divided into geographic meshes. Each mesh includes a plurality of road links of different types. That data also includes a first set of meshes containing traffic flow data while a mutually exclusive second set of meshes contains no such traffic flow data. A border between the first and second set of meshes is first identified and thereafter a blend zone of blend meshes is created by selecting at least one mesh adjacent the border so that the blend mesh is interposed between the first and second set of meshes. Thereafter, the traffic data for each type of road link in the blend mesh is adjusted to a value intermediate the first and second set of adjacent meshes for each type of road link and the blend mesh data is then stored. | 04-02-2009 |
| 20090088964 | Map scrolling method and apparatus for navigation system for selectively displaying icons - A map scrolling method and apparatus for a navigation system prevents from displaying certain icons while displaying other icons based on conditions and settings of the navigation system during a transition period of a map scrolling operation. The map scrolling method includes the steps of: detecting activation of a map scrolling operation; checking whether there is any limit condition attached to icons as to remove them from a map image; scrolling the map image while removing the icons to which the limit condition is attached from the map image during a transition period of the map scrolling operation; and displaying all of the icons when the map scrolling operation is completed. | 04-02-2009 |
| 20090093953 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DYNAMICALLY DETERMINING AND DISPLAYING NAVIGATION INFORMATION - A method and system for dynamically evaluating a quantity of context sensitive information used by an operator of an airborne mobile platform in performing an operational procedure involving said mobile platform, and determining, in real time, a sub-quantity of context sensitive information that pertains to only that sub-quantity of information required by said operator to execute said operational procedure. The sub-quantity of information is then displayed on a display in real time for the operator. The method and system significantly eases the cognitive workload of the operator by enabling the operator to focus on and digest only that sub-quantity of information that is pertinent to performing the operational procedure with the specific type of mobile platform being operated. In one embodiment the sub-quantity of information pertains to minima information for performing an aircraft landing approach operation. | 04-09-2009 |
| 20090099763 | Speech recognition apparatus and navigation system - In a navigation system, a switching use dictionary is provided as storing an aggregation of switching commands, which are also stored in the individual language-specific dictionaries including the language | 04-16-2009 |
| 20090099764 | NETWORK SYSTEM FOR VESSEL INSTRUMENTS - A network system where vessel instruments including sensors are connected through a communication network is provided. The sensors generate the same type of navigation data. The system includes a first network for realizing one-to-many communication, a first group instruments connected with each other through the first network, and a second group instruments connected to the first network with a different protocol from the first network. The first group instrument is an input/output gate between the second group instruments and the first network. At least one of the first group instruments has a server function. The first group instruments obtain identification information and types of navigation data of the second group instruments using the first group instruments as the gates, and the server-function instrument obtains identification information and types of navigation data of the instruments. The server function instrument selects one of the sensors generating the same type of navigation data, and outputs a sharing instruction of the data of the selected sensor, through the first network. The first group instrument provides the sharing instruction to the second group instruments using the first group instrument as the gate. | 04-16-2009 |
| 20090099765 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MEASURING VELOCITY OF MOVING OBJECT IN A NAVIGATION SYSTEM - An apparatus and method for measuring a velocity of a moving object in a navigation system are provided, which can increase an accuracy of velocity measurement and position estimation of die moving object are provided. The apparatus includes a sensor part including an acceleration sensor for measuring acceleration of the moving object and outputting a corresponding acceleration measurement value, and includes an altimeter for measuring an altitude of the moving object and outputting a corresponding altitude measurement value; and a calculation part for calculating the velocity of the moving object by using the acceleration measurement value output from the acceleration sensor and the altitude measurement value output from the altimeter. | 04-16-2009 |
| 20090099766 | Map data update system - A cellular phone receives map update data from a digital broadcast provider before a start-up of a car navigation apparatus, stores the received map update data in a storage section, and transmits the map update data stored in the storage section to the car navigation apparatus in response to the start-up of the car navigation apparatus. Upon receiving the map update data, the car navigation apparatus updates map data. | 04-16-2009 |
| 20090099767 | Light stripe detection method for indoor navigation and parking assist apparatus using the same - Disclosed is a method for detecting a light stripe for indoor navigation and a parking assist apparatus using the same. The apparatus applies light plane projection to indoor navigation, detects a light stripe from an image inputted through a camera, detects an obstacle, and assists vehicle parking by using an active steering device and an electronically controlled braking device. A light stripe width function is used to calculate a light stripe width, and a half value of the calculated light stripe width is used as a constant value of a LOG filter to conduct LOG filtering and detect the light stripe. The precision and rate of recognition of light stripes obtained by LOG filtering are advantageously improved. Therefore, obstacles are precisely recognized during indoor navigation, and parking is assisted efficiently. | 04-16-2009 |
| 20090105936 | ROUTE GUIDANCE APPARATUS, ROUTE GUIDANCE METHOD, ROUTE GUIDANCE PROGRAM AND COMPUTER-READABLE RECORDING MEDIUM - A route guidance apparatus includes a detecting unit that detects from an set route a left/right-turn point that a vehicle has not passed; a searching unit that searches for an alternative route before the vehicle passes the left/right-turn point in case the vehicle misses the turn at the left/right-turn point; a computing unit that computes cost information concerning the alternative route and cost information concerning a direct route on the set route from the left/right-turn point to a merging point where the set route meets the alternative route; a determining unit that determines a degree of importance of the left/right-turn point based on the cost information; and an output unit that outputs, before the mobile object passes the left/right-turn point, alarm information that concerns the left/right-turn point and is based on the degree of importance determined. | 04-23-2009 |
| 20090105937 | Facility-guidance process, facility-guidance apparatus, and computer-readable medium storing facility-guidance program - In a facility-guidance apparatus realized in a computer by execution of a program for guiding a visitor to an exhibition place in a facility, character information indicating characters of articles exhibited at each of exhibition places is stored in advance in correspondence with place information indicating each exhibition place, for each of a target facility and a substitute facility. In response to an external input, place information for the substitute facility is designated. Then, the character information corresponding to the designated place information for the substitute facility is referred to, a degree of similarity between the character information referred to for the substitute facility and the character information for each exhibition place in the target facility is determined, and information indicating one or more candidates for the exhibition place in the target facility is outputted in the order of the degree of similarity. | 04-23-2009 |
| 20090105938 | Navigation apparatuses, methods, and programs - Navigation apparatuses, methods, and programs store path information for a path each time the path is traveled, the path being a segment of the guidance route from a branch point to a junction. The apparatuses, methods, and programs store detour route information for the detour route each time the detour route is traveled. The apparatuses, methods, and programs receive current traffic conditions from an external system and read out, when arriving at the branch point, path information having a same or similar stored traffic condition as a current path traffic condition and detour route information having a same or similar stored traffic condition as a current detour route traffic condition. The apparatuses, methods, and programs determine a difference between a required time for traveling along the path and a required time for traveling along the detour route and output guidance information based on the determined difference. | 04-23-2009 |
| 20090112455 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR RENDERING SIMPLIFIED POINT FINDING MAPS - A method and system for rendering simplified point finding maps is provided. The method may include defining a boundary area and a target point within a target area, on a map that comprises multiple roads segments. A plurality of routes that follow the road segments and go from the boundary area to the target point may be selected. Road segments that are not necessary to the routes may be removed from the map. | 04-30-2009 |
| 20090112456 | OPERATOR FINE TRACKING ASSIST USING SENSOR DERIVED INPUTS - A preferred embodiment of a method for fine-tracking operator assistance for controlling movement of an object toward a target combines an operator input for guiding the object toward the target with a sensor-derived input from sensor measurement of the object's position relative to the target's position. The combined input is separated into low and high frequency content, and a Low Frequency Authority Limit component applies a pre-determined gain over a selected range to the low frequency content, while a High Frequency Authority Limit component applies a pre-determined gain over a selected range to the high frequency content. The low-frequency gain output is combined with the high-frequency gain output as a total control input for control of the object relative to the target. | 04-30-2009 |
| 20090119001 | Method and system for finding multimodal transit route directions based on user preferred transport modes - A method and system for finding multimodal transit route solutions with a computer software program is described that finds the most efficient transit routes based on user preferred modes of transport. The route finding system has four layers that include a presentation layer, an application layer, a component layer and a database layer. The system input includes a start address, a destination address and preferred mode of transport to find the most efficient transit routes. The transport mode includes public transport, private transport and combination of public and private transports. The system displays the detailed mapped route directions for the user input. The system also includes tools for location based address finder and local guidance. | 05-07-2009 |
| 20090119002 | Terminal For Satellite Navigation System - A terminal for satellite navigation services includes a first receiver for receiving navigation messages emitted by satellites; an output interface for the output of navigation information; and an activating unit. | 05-07-2009 |
| 20090119003 | NAVIGATION SYSTEM AND ROUTE GUIDANCE METHOD - A navigation system provides guidance for performing a U-turn. The navigation system includes a processing unit, which acquires guidance route information and road information to determine whether the guidance route requires a turning around in a divided two-lane road. If a turning around is required, the processing unit specifies an extension distance of a connection road of the divided two-lane road. U-turn guidance is provided if the extension distance is at or below a predetermined length, or otherwise, to guidance is provided to prompt a double turn. | 05-07-2009 |
| 20090125223 | Video navigation - A system and method for video navigation are disclosed. Motion analysis can be performed upon camera images to determine movement of a vehicle, and consequently present position of the vehicle. Feature points can be identified upon a video image. Movement of the feature points between video frames is indicative of movement of the vehicle. Video navigation can be used, for example, in those instances wherein GPS navigation is unavailable. | 05-14-2009 |
| 20090125224 | Method for Selecting a Designation - Presented is a method for selecting a label from a multiplicity of labels stored in a memory element. The method includes inputting a handwritten character into a handwritten input apparatus, associating an alphanumeric character with the handwritten input character using a character recognition apparatus, adding the associated alphanumeric character to an already input character string to produce an extended character string, comparing the extended character string with the labels stored in the memory element, and selecting one or more of the stored labels using the comparison. The alphanumeric character is selected from a dynamically alterable character set which contains only characters which, in addition to the already input character string, produce an extended character string, which is an initial component of at least one of the stored labels. Also presented is a motor vehicle navigation system in which address database entries are selected by the above described method. | 05-14-2009 |
| 20090125225 | VEHICLE ROUTING AND PATH PLANNING - A method of determining a path having an ordered set of waypoints to be visited by a mobile agent to accomplish a mission includes: producing candidate paths using a multi-objective optimization algorithm, subject to a path production heuristic; selecting a path from the candidate paths, subject to a path selection heuristic; instructing the mobile agent to move according to the selected path; modifying a maintained subset of the candidate paths to produce a new candidate path using the algorithm and subject to the path production heuristic; designating either the currently-selected path or the new candidate path as the newly-selected path, subject to the path selection heuristic; and instructing the mobile agent to move according to the newly-selected path. The method may further include iterating production of new candidate paths, either randomly or based on modifications of previous candidate paths, to continually update an operation plan for the mobile agent. | 05-14-2009 |
| 20090125226 | NETWORK-BASED NAVIGATION SYSTEM HAVING VIRTUAL DRIVE-THRU ADVERTISEMENTS INTEGRATED WITH ACTUAL IMAGERY FROM ALONG A PHYSICAL ROUTE - A network-based navigation system includes a user interface and a computer server system that can access a map database, an actual imagery database and an advertisement database in order to provide visual route guidance information having virtual drive-thru advertisements integrated with actual imagery from along a physical route. The user interface permits a user to submit a request for navigation information, receive visual route guidance information in response to the request and initiate a drive-thru presentation of at least a portion of a route. The computer server determines at least one route from the map database based on the request from the user and provides route guidance information to the user interface in response. The computer server also identifies actual imagery from the image database associated with the at least one route and selectively replaces at least one polygon region identified in the actual imagery associated with the at least one route with at least one advertisement from the ad database to create a drive-thru presentation with at least one virtual advertisement. At least a portion of the drive-thru presentation is presented to the user interface. In one embodiment, the computer server records a drive-thru charge for the virtual advertisements present in the portion of the drive-thru presentation provided to the user interface. | 05-14-2009 |
| 20090125227 | Stateful, double-buffered dynamic navigation voice prompting - A navigation system written in J2ME MIDP for a client device includes a plurality of media players each respectively comprising a buffer. A navigation program manages the state of the plurality of media players. The plurality of media players are in either one of an acquiring resources state, and a playing and de-allocating state. The use of a plurality of media players each respectively comprising a buffer overcomes the prior art in which navigation system can cut off a voice prompt because of the time-consuming tasks associated with playing a voice prompt. | 05-14-2009 |
| 20090132158 | NAVIGATION SYSTEM FOR DISABLED PERSONS, IN PARTICULAR VISUALLY IMPAIRED PERSONS - A navigation system for disabled persons, in particular visually impaired persons. The navigation system comprises a plurality of transponders ( | 05-21-2009 |
| 20090132159 | NAVIGATION APPARATUS - A navigation apparatus is provided for performing navigation functions with self-generated power from light from the sun. The navigation apparatus includes a main body and a solar panel. The main body is mainly for performing the navigation functions. The solar panel is pivotally connected to the main body. The solar panel is configured for receiving light, transforming light energy of the light into electric power, and supplying the electric power to the main body. | 05-21-2009 |
| 20090132160 | Map Information Processing Apparatus, Navigation System, and Program - Conventional map information processing apparatuses have the problem of not being able to automatically provide appropriate information according to map browse operations. The present invention provides a map information processing apparatus, comprising: a map information storage portion in which map information, which is information of a map, can be stored; an accepting portion that accepts a map browse operation, which is an operation to browse the map; an operation information sequence acquiring portion that acquires operation information, which is information of an operation corresponding to the map browse operation; a keyword acquiring portion that acquires at least one keyword from the map information using the operation information; a retrieving portion that retrieves information using the at least one keyword; and an information output portion that outputs the information retrieved by the retrieving portion. With this map information processing apparatus, it is possible to automatically provide appropriate information according to map browse operations. | 05-21-2009 |
| 20090132161 | NAVIGATION DEVICE AND ITS METHOD - In a navigation device for providing a guide from an origin to a destination, a display section ( | 05-21-2009 |
| 20090138192 | Navigation System - [Problem] The present invention relates to a navigation system. An area where an aircraft remains for a unit time is computed as a cell using pieces of element data such as a type, a performance, a speed, and a direction of the aircraft, a trouble, and an air stream, an avoidance vector for separating overlapped cells is determined when the plural cells are overlapped with each other, and the aircraft flies manually or automatically according to the avoidance vector, whereby the navigation system prevents an accident from happening. | 05-28-2009 |
| 20090143970 | Interactive route guide device - A technical challenge is to provide an interactive route guide device which is capable of providing an appropriate amount of information with an appropriate timing in accordance with a user's desire. In order to overcome such a technical challenge, in the interactive route guide device, a storage device ( | 06-04-2009 |
| 20090143971 | Apparatus and method for conveying traffic congestion data to a user - A method of displaying traffic information, comprising: providing a graphical interface to display information related to traffic routes; displaying a first bar to represent a total distance of a first traffic route; and displaying segments of the first bar, each segment of the first bar representing a corresponding range of traffic speeds along the first traffic route, and each segment of the first bar located on the bar in rough proportion to where the corresponding range of traffic speeds occurs along the first traffic route. | 06-04-2009 |
| 20090143972 | Traveling Direction Measuring Apparatus and Traveling Direction Measuring Method - The present invention relates to a traveling direction measuring apparatus usable as a pedestrian navigation system in locations where it is difficult to obtain high positioning accuracy such as inside buildings or around multistory buildings where a GPS cannot be used. An acceleration detecting section ( | 06-04-2009 |
| 20090143973 | IMAGE-GUIDED NAVIGATION EMPLOYING NAVIGATED POINT COMPUTATION METHOD AND SYSTEM - Provided is a method of image-guided navigation comprising determining a final navigated point in a three-dimensional reconstructed coordinate system based at least partially on two or more navigated points in a coordinate system associated with a two-dimensional array of image pixels and without specifying a coordinate of each of the two or more navigated points in a direction orthogonal to the two-dimensional array of image pixels, wherein each of the two or more navigated points is for a different position of a C-arm gantry. Also provided is an image-guided navigation system. | 06-04-2009 |
| 20090143974 | Navigation device, navigation method, and navigation program - Information is acquired that indicates a current road on which a vehicle is traveling. Information is acquired that relates to a plurality of branching roads that branch off from the current road at a branching point that lies ahead in the direction of movement of the vehicle. In a situation where route guidance is not being used, a determination is made as to whether or not there is a possibility that the vehicle will proceed on one of the branching roads that is of a different type from the current road, instead of on one of the branching roads that is of the same type as the current road and has an attribute that is of the same type as an attribute of the current road. If it is determined that there is a possibility that the vehicle will proceed on one of the branching roads that is of a different type, guidance is performed that informs the driver that the possibility exists. | 06-04-2009 |
| 20090143975 | Personal GPS navigation device - A navigation device is disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the navigation device includes a storage device to store map information and points of interest (POIs), the POIs including description information and location information; and a display to display stored POIs at a location of the map information, based upon the location information, POIs being selectively retrievable from a remote location for subsequent storage and display. | 06-04-2009 |
| 20090143976 | Personal GPS navigation device - A navigation device is disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the navigation device includes a storage device to store points of interest (POIs); and an integrated input and display device to display at least one of the stored POIs and to enable selection of the displayed at least one POI; and a processor to execute an action, upon selection of one of the displayed at least one POI, associated with the selected one of the displayed at least one POI. | 06-04-2009 |
| 20090150061 | HUD VEHICLE NAVIGATION SYSTEM - A HUD vehicle navigation system includes a portable electronic device ( | 06-11-2009 |
| 20090157291 | Destination Setting Assistance Apparatus - Provided is a destination setting assistance apparatus ( | 06-18-2009 |
| 20090157292 | System and method for providing shared information about traveled road segments - A system and method splices into, or replaces routes identified based on road geometry with routes taken by the same user or other users to create alternate routes that may be selected by a user to display, for example, on a map or for which driving directions can be displayed. Communication of routes traveled by different devices may be received from a server or from another device. A naming convention for road segments and ordered paths of road segments is described. | 06-18-2009 |
| 20090157293 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR DIMINISHING THE EFFECTS OF AN ACOUSTIC SIGNATURE OF VEHICLES - Methods and systems are provided for diminishing the effects of an acoustic signature of a vehicle while the vehicle is en route to a destination. One method includes the steps of retrieving acoustic data representing an acoustic model of the vehicle, terrain data representing a terrain model of a geographic area surrounding the destination, route data representing a model of a plurality of routes to the destination, and weather data representing atmospheric conditions of the geographic area. The method also includes selecting a route to the destination based on the acoustic, terrain, route, and weather data. A system includes means for performing the retrieving step and the selecting step of the above method. Another system includes memory storing the acoustic, terrain, route, and weather data, and a processor coupled to the memory and configured to select a route to the destination based on the acoustic, terrain, route, and weather data. | 06-18-2009 |
| 20090157294 | Navigation Device With Adaptive Navigation Instructions - A navigation device is disclosed wherein, in at least one embodiment. navigation instruction are adapted to the driver preferences. The driving behaviour of the driver is recorded (like speed, time to prepare for an exit etc.), and the way he responds to navigation instructions (promptly, or always too late for example). Traffic, weather and time information may be combined with information on the driving behaviour of the driver. This information is examined and used to build up a driver profile. This driver profile is used to adapt future navigation instructions. Alternatively, traffic and weather information may be used to build up route and/or environmental profiles. These profiles can also be used separate from the driver profile to adjust the navigation instruction. The combination of these two techniques, building up a profile (or adapt a pre-defined profile) and adapt the navigation instructions, makes the navigation device a more personal-fit navigation aid. Also, giving the right instructions to a specific driver may contribute to a safer behaviour. | 06-18-2009 |
| 20090157295 | Navigation Apparatus - A navigation apparatus comprises a route setting unit that sets a route, a route characteristic point setting unit that sets a plurality of route characteristic points to the route set by the route setting unit, a priority setting unit that sets priority to each of the route characteristic points set by the route characteristic point setting unit, a selecting unit that selects any of the route characteristic points based upon the priority set by the priority setting unit, and a display control unit that displays the route and the route characteristic point selected by the selecting unit on a display monitor. | 06-18-2009 |
| 20090157296 | Navigation Apparatus - A navigation apparatus comprises a map display control unit that displays a map on a display monitor, a voice information outputting unit that outputs voice information related to traveling of a vehicle, and a highlighting unit that highlights a part of the map that corresponds to the voice information in synchronization with output of the voice information by the voice information outputting unit. | 06-18-2009 |
| 20090171558 | Managing Differences Between Geographic Database Versions - 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. | 07-02-2009 |
| 20090177374 | Method for real-time updating background weather patern of electronic map - A method for a navigation device to change a background weather pattern of an electronic map comprises steps of: reading a plurality of positioning signals received by a positioning module and calculating a current location of the navigation accordingly; reading from a map database and a real-time weather database, respectively, an electronic map and a background weather pattern that correspond to the current location, and outputting the electronic map and the background weather pattern corresponding to the current location on a display device; determining whether it is necessary to change the electronic map corresponding to the current location; and when it is necessary, reading from the real-time weather database a background weather pattern corresponding to an updated current location and replacing the presently displayed electronic map and background weather pattern with an electronic map and a background weather pattern corresponding to the updated current location. | 07-09-2009 |
| 20090177375 | Map Display System and Method - Provided is a computer system and methods related to a map display. A method includes but is not limited to receiving a request for the map, the map illustrating one or more locations; determining a status associated with at least one of the one or more locations on the map, the status being a function of one or more location interaction rules associated with the at least one of the one or more locations on the map; and generating a signal related to indicating on the map the status associated with the at least one of the one or more locations. | 07-09-2009 |
| 20090182492 | Adaptive Navigation System for Estimating Travel Times - An estimated travel time for a route generated by a navigation system can be modified using a route-specific, custom travel factor computed from data collected by the navigation system while the user is traveling the route. In one aspect, the data can be stored in a local or remote database accessible by the navigation system. The data can be used to classify routes so that custom travel factors computed for a route in a given class can be used to estimate travel times for other routes in the same class. In another aspect, the classified custom travel factors can be shared with other users. | 07-16-2009 |
| 20090182493 | NAVIGATION SYSTEM WITH APPARATUS FOR DETECTING ACCURACY FAILURES - A navigation system for a vehicle having a receiver operable to receive a plurality of signals from a plurality of transmitters includes a processor and a memory device. The memory device has stored thereon machine-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, enable the processor to determine a set of error estimates corresponding to delta pseudo-range measurements derived from the plurality of signals, determine an error covariance matrix for a main navigation solution, and, using a solution separation technique, determine at least one protection level value based on the error covariance matrix. | 07-16-2009 |
| 20090182494 | NAVIGATION SYSTEM WITH APPARATUS FOR DETECTING ACCURACY FAILURES - A navigation system for a vehicle having a receiver operable to receive a plurality of signals from a plurality of transmitters includes a processor and a memory device. The memory device has stored thereon machine-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, enable the processor to determine a set of pseudo-range measurements derived from the plurality of signals, employing at least one Kalman filter process, determine from the measurements an error covariance matrix for a main navigation solution, and using a solution separation technique, determine at least one protection level value based on the error covariance matrix. | 07-16-2009 |
| 20090182495 | NAVIGATION SYSTEM WITH APPARATUS FOR DETECTING ACCURACY FAILURES - A navigation system for a vehicle having a receiver operable to receive a plurality of signals from a plurality of transmitters includes a processor and a memory device. The memory device has stored thereon machine-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, enable the processor to determine a set of error estimates corresponding to delta pseudo-range measurements derived from the plurality of signals, determine an error covariance matrix for a main navigation solution, and, using a parity space technique, determine at least one protection level value based on the error covariance matrix. | 07-16-2009 |
| 20090182496 | Map information delivery server, map information delivery system and method for delivering map information - A map information delivery server includes: a memory that receives a travel record of a vehicle transmitted from an in-vehicle communication device of the vehicle, and stores the travel record; an update unit that obtains a new map data from an external information media; an extraction unit that specifies an updated portion of the new map data; and a transmitter that transmits a road data to the in-vehicle communication device of the vehicle. The road data is a part of the updated portion of the new map data, and relates to the travel record of the vehicle. Thus, the server delivers the updated map data without driving on the same road if the vehicle has driven on the road in the past. | 07-16-2009 |
| 20090187333 | Method and System for Displaying Navigation Instructions - A method and a system for displaying navigation instructions of a navigation system in a vehicle, a section of the vehicle's surroundings being recorded by a camera and displayed as a surroundings image using a display unit; the navigation instruction also being displayed using the display unit; and in response to objects, that are recorded and that move relatively to the vehicle and/or relatively to the surroundings, which are detected and displayed as an object image in the surroundings image, the navigation instruction is positioned and/or shifted and/or modified in its position and/or its size and/or its shape within the surroundings image in such a way that no overlapping occurs between the object image and the navigation instruction. | 07-23-2009 |
| 20090187334 | METHOD FOR OPERATING A NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM - A method for operating a navigational system, especially a navigational system for a motor vehicle, having a memory, a display unit and at least one operating element, map data being loaded from a map data memory into the memory; the map data being subdivided into first map data and second map data; the first map data including geometric data of edges of a map network stored as graphs, and the second map data including topological data and applications being carried out using the first and/or second map data loaded into the memory. | 07-23-2009 |
| 20090187335 | Navigation Device - A device for ascertaining and displaying a route course for a transportation means comprises a road network. In particular, a navigation device having a data processing device, which is also used to ascertain the route course, and having display means, which are also used to visualize the ascertained route course. The device has at least temporary access to a road network database, and is set up in such a way that upon the existence of a correction of the current direction of the transportation means necessary for following the ascertained route course, which is caused by a transition of the route course from a first road onto a second road, in particular by a road intersection or by a road branch, an automatic change is performed between at least one first and one second operating mode. One of the at least two operating modes causes a visualization of the transition on the display means by at least partial dynamic superposition of at least two visualization layers. | 07-23-2009 |
| 20090187336 | Map Update Server, Map Update System, and Car Navigation System - An update information providing server for providing data of an updated portion in map data composed of plural kinds of the data includes: a map data storage unit configured to store incremental update data of a difference between the data at a predefined time and newest data, and a data size of the incremental update data; an update request receiving unit configured to receive from a user terminal a map data update request including a capacity of a recording medium, and priority information for specifying a data kind of the data to be preferentially updated; an update order information making unit configured to make update order information; an update information transmission unit configured to extract the incremental update data from the storage unit, to make update information including the extracted incremental update data and the update order information, and to transmit the made update information to the user terminal. | 07-23-2009 |
| 20090192702 | Situation-aware personal information management for a mobile device - A technique for providing a mobile device user with a “when to leave” alarm on his or her mobile device. The user has scheduled an appointment at a given time and location in the user's personal information manager (PIM) executing on the mobile device. A representative PIM is a calendar on the mobile device. The “when to leave” alarm is provided to the end user in the form of a display widget (or “countdown alarm”) that automatically activates a given time (e.g., 30 minutes) before a latest departure time for an event in the user's PIM. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192703 | Method and device for providing information about points of interest using a navigation system - A method for defining a geographic area in a map detail for use in a navigation device includes: selecting an area shape; positioning the selected area shape on the map detail at a desired position; and performing a function of the navigation device as a function of a geographic area specified by the area shape positioned on the map detail. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192704 | PORTABLE NAVIGATION DEVICE - A navigation device is configured to allocate display setting such as color schemes and screen contents to at least one ambient lighting condition, monitors and evaluates a signal indicative of ambient lighting conditions and determines whether display settings for the current ambient lighting conditions are already in use and to change display settings so that they suit current ambient lighting conditions if needed. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090210142 | SAFE ROUTE CONFIGURATION - Routes can be produced based on safety characteristics of paths that are included in the route. Safety characteristics can include how susceptible an area surrounding a path is to crime as well as traffic data, such as how many automobile accidents take place on average. Various amounts of safety information can be gathered and a particular path can be assigned a safety score. Analysis can run on different path combinations that would take a user from a starting point to an intended destination. A route can be produced based on the safety score alone, such as a route with a lowest score, based on the safety score with other factors such as anticipated traffic, and the like. | 08-20-2009 |
| 20090210143 | ROUTE-BASED ACTIVITY PLANNER - Oftentimes individuals have a number of objectives to complete while traveling in a vehicle. The objectives can be arranged automatically and an associated route can be produced such that the objectives can be completed in an effective manner. Data related to the objectives can be collected such as a traffic pattern on paths near a location the objective is to take place. Locations for the objectives to be completed can be determined automatically as well as provided by user. Analysis of the collected data can take place and based on a result of the analysis, an efficient route is produced. | 08-20-2009 |
| 20090210144 | METHOD FOR SELECTING A DESTINATION - A method for selecting a driving destination from a set of stored localities, a locality name being inputted for comparison of the inputted locality name with stored locality names, and at least one of the stored localities being determined, from the comparison of the inputted locality name, as a possible driving destination, in which a further locality is determined, a vicinity of the further locality is determined, and a locality determined as possible from the comparison is outputted for selection as a driving destination when the locality is in the determined vicinity of the further locality. | 08-20-2009 |
| 20090222198 | Method of determining a route as a function of the sinuosity index - The invention relates to a method of determining routes between a point of departure (α) and a point of arrival (β) for a digital road mapping system comprising a set of segments that are representative of a road network. The inventive method comprises the following steps consisting in: receiving a route request containing the points of departure and arrival and the selected, preferred sinuosity level; identifying a plurality of potential routes; assigning a value to each of the potential routes as a function of the global sinuosity index thereof, which is established from the sinuosity index of each of the segments forming the potential routes; and selecting the potential route with the sinuosity index that best corresponds to the sinuosity level of the request. | 09-03-2009 |
| 20090234569 | Routing Method For Calculating A Route - A routing method for calculating a route between a first route endpoint ( | 09-17-2009 |
| 20090248288 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR GENERATING PATTERN KEYS FOR USE IN NAVIGATION SYSTEMS TO PREDICT USER DESTINATIONS - Systems and methods for automatically generating pattern keys based on models of user travel patterns and behavior, wherein the pattern keys may be used in automated navigation systems for fast and efficient prediction of user destinations. | 10-01-2009 |
| 20090248289 | Apparatus for providing guidance route - A navigation apparatus determines an influence of a typhoon, and provides a selection of two routes towards a destination if the typhoon has a great influence exceeding an influence threshold. The two routes provided are, a stand-by route that waits the typhoon to pass by and a detour route that avoids the typhoon by making a detour without waiting. The two routes are respectively presented on a display screen, after calculation by a route calculation unit, with an expected arrival time to the destination, a travel distance to the destination, and a stand-by time (only for the stand-by route) with an assistance of a draw unit. The navigation apparatus thus provides a user with a re-calculated guidance route that does not unnecessarily increase the travel distance to the destination, without forcing the user to be involved in a driving under the influence of the typhoon. | 10-01-2009 |
| 20090248290 | ROAD SHAPE ESTIMATING DEVICE, ROAD SHAPE ESTIMATING METHOD AND PROGRAM - A road shape estimating device has a data obtaining processing unit for obtaining interpolation point data for a plurality of shape interpolation points which are set along a road and represent a shape of the road, a radius calculation processing unit for calculating a radius of curvature at each of the shape interpolation points based on the interpolation point data for a predetermined section of the road, a corner detection processing unit for detecting a corner in the predetermined section based on the radii of curvature, and a corner dividing processing unit for dividing the corner at a shape interpolation point having a radius of curvature equal to or larger than a threshold in the detected corner. The threshold is set corresponding to an average value of radii of curvature at respective shape interpolation points in the detected corner. | 10-01-2009 |
| 20090248291 | Transmission Of Routes Between Client And Server Using Route IDs - Dehydration of routes enables transmitting a description of a route requiring much less space than full specification of the route. A series of “breadcrumbs” and hints are used for dehydration. A breadcrumb includes coordinates of a point, a heading at which the route enters the breadcrumb, and a heading at which the route leaves the breadcrumb. A dehydration module places a breadcrumb at the location marking the beginning of the route, and having a leaving heading identifying the link in the original route. The node at the end of each link in the original route is examined. If the link leaving the node is the most parallel link to the link entering the node, nothing is added to the dehydrated route. If not, a breadcrumb is added to the dehydrated route, specifying the coordinates of the point, the entering heading of the breadcrumb and the leaving heading of the breadcrumb. | 10-01-2009 |
| 20090254265 | VIDEO MAP TECHNOLOGY FOR NAVIGATION - There remains a need for a navigation technology that is amenable for use in conditions prevalent in developing countries. The embodiments disclosed herein achieve this by providing a video map based navigation system and methods thereon. An embodiment herein provides an electronic navigation system comprising of a means for a user to request for a route between a source and a destination; a means to combine relevant stored video clips based on the source and the destination; a means for sending user requested information to the user; and a means for the user to view information sent by the navigation system. | 10-08-2009 |
| 20090254266 | APPARATUS OF CALCULATING A NAVIGATION ROUTE BASED ON ESTIMATED ENERGY CONSUMPTION - A system of calculating a navigation route based on an estimated energy consumption value that assigns a distance weight coefficient for each of the plurality of potential routes that corresponds to an estimated distance energy consumption value. The system also determines a cumulative interference weight coefficient for each of the plurality of potential routes corresponding to an estimated interference energy consumption value based on traversing at least one interference event in the potential route. Each cumulative interference weight coefficient may include a fixed event interference weight coefficient, a probable event interference weight coefficient, and a scheduled event interference weight coefficient. The system then determines total route energy consumption weight coefficients for each of the plurality of potential routes by adding the distance and cumulative interference weight coefficients, and selects a route from the plurality of potential routes based on a lowest total route energy consumption weight coefficient. | 10-08-2009 |
| 20090265091 | METHOD AND APPARATUS UTILIZING BOTH STATISTICAL AND REAL TIME DATA FOR A VEHICLE NAVIGATION SYSTEM - A method for determining a preferred route of road links between an origin and a destination in a vehicle navigation system. A boundary is established the origin and a destination and real time road link data is acquired for road links between the origin and the boundary. Similarly, road link data from a statistical database is retrieved from a road link database for road links between the boundary and the destination. The preferred route between the origin and the destination is then calculated as a function of both said real time road link data and statistical road link data and the calculated route is displayed on a screen. | 10-22-2009 |
| 20090265092 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ADJUSTING ROUTE PLANNING RESULTS - Methods and systems for adjusting route planning results are provided. First, a first route planning result is generated, and displayed. Then, at least one candidate road section is selected and dragged to a substituted road section. A second route planning result is re-generated according to the substituted road section. The second route planning result passes through the substituted road section, and the candidate road section is excluded from the second route planning result. | 10-22-2009 |
| 20090265093 | Destination search support device, methods, and programs - A navigation device, when a destination candidate is deleted, postpones the deletion by providing a deletion deadline for the destination candidate. This makes it possible to search for the destination candidate even if it is eligible for deletion. If a user sets as the destination a destination candidate whose deletion has been postponed, then the destination candidate is displayed differently to make the user aware that the deletion has been postponed. If a destination candidate for which the deletion deadline has been set is set as the destination, then the navigation device compares the deletion deadline to a date that is m months after the current date, and if the m months later date is later than the deletion deadline, the navigation device extends the deletion deadline by updating it to the m months later date. This postpones the deletion of a destination candidate that the user considers necessary. | 10-22-2009 |
| 20090265094 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR INFORMATION CORRESPONDING TO GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION - The invention relates to a method and a system for information corresponding to a geographical position. The method includes the following steps. First, a plurality of words are captured from electronic information. Then, position information conforming to a specific address format is searched out in the captured words. Furthermore, the position information is converted to latitude and longitude data. | 10-22-2009 |
| 20090265095 | Method of Collecting Information for a Geographic Database for Use with a Navigation System - A method of operating a navigation system is disclosed. A request for a route between a first location on a road network and a second location off of the road network is received. A geographic database stored on a computer readable medium associated with the navigation system is accessed to obtain data representing a plurality of road segments including data representing a sidewalk along the road segment and data representing a crosswalk associated with the road segment. The geographic database is accessed to obtain data representing a plurality of pedestrian segments and data representing at least one orientation node providing a connection between one of the road segments and one of said pedestrian segments. A solution route comprising a series of connected road segments and a series of connected pedestrian segments between the first location and the second location is determined. | 10-22-2009 |
| 20090271103 | NAVIGATION DEVICE, NAVIGATION METHOD, NAVIGATION PROGRAM, AND RECORDING MEDIUM HAVING NAVIGATION PROGRAM RECORDED THEREON - In a navigation-related processing, when it is necessary to access a navigation data area | 10-29-2009 |
| 20090271104 | COLLABORATIVE ROUTE PLANNING FOR GENERATING PERSONALIZED AND CONTEXT-SENSITIVE ROUTING RECOMMENDATIONS - A route-planning system is described that leverages a database of observations about routes taken by drivers in a region to generate context and/or preference sensitive routes. Contextual information such as time of day and day of week, along with such findings as the observed velocities on different roads and the efficiency of trips is noted from the database of trips to inform a route generation component. The route-generation component considers velocities, contextual information, and other findings to compute preferred routes for people requesting directions from a first geographical point to a second geographical point. In one usage, properties of a driver's own prior routes are used to generate personalized routes, including routes between previously unobserved starting and ending locations. In another application, sets of observed routes of other drivers are used in a collaborative manner to generate recommended routes for a specific driver based on inferred preferences of the driver. | 10-29-2009 |
| 20090281716 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAP-UPDATING OF NAVIGATION SYSTEM - A method and apparatus for map-updating of a navigation system by automatically generating point of interest (POI) data that is not registered and automatically generating a POP alias of POI data that is already registered, the method including: logging at least one piece of point of interest (POI) data if the POI data input in order to find a destination is not found in the navigation terminal; and registering the logged at least one piece of POI data as a candidate POI alias of newly input POI data if a destination designated by the navigation terminal according to the newly input POI data is equal to an arrived destination. | 11-12-2009 |
| 20090281717 | INFORMATION PROVIDING DEVICE, INFORMATION PROVIDING METHOD, AND INFORMATION PROVIDING PROGRAM - There is provided an information supplying apparatus and an information supplying method capable of obtaining an aptitude for a route to a destination for each driver. The information supplying apparatus is used for obtaining the aptitude for the route to the destination for each user. The road information storage unit stores the road information. The route calculation unit calculates the route from the departure place to the destination, based on the road information. The driving characteristic information storage unit stores the driving characteristic information showing the experience value and the ability for driving for each of the plural users. The aptitude calculation unit calculates the aptitude for the route for each user, based on the characteristic information. The display control unit displays the image corresponding to the aptitude calculated by the aptitude calculation unit. Thereby, in such a case that the plural users own the single vehicle in common, it becomes possible to appropriately determine the driver suitable for the route to the destination. | 11-12-2009 |
| 20090281718 | PREDICTIVE DOWNLOADING OF MAP DATA - A method of requesting map data by a wireless communications device entails steps of predicting a future area of interest for which map data may be required, downloading the map data for the future area of interest, and then caching the map data for the future area of interest. Cached map data is thus available for rendering when the device moves into the future area of interest, thus expediting the generation of onscreen maps. Predicting the future area of interest can be accomplished, for example, by determining the direction of travel, by identifying a roadway upon which the device user is travelling, or by identifying a programmed route in a navigation application. | 11-12-2009 |
| 20090292457 | Method and System for Representing Pedestrian Crosswalks in a Geographic Database Used by a Navigation System - A geographic database used by a navigation system includes data regarding which corners of an intersection are connected by a crosswalk and the type of crosswalk. The geographic database also includes data regarding locations of crosswalks at a location other than an intersection. Using this information, the navigation system can provide crosswalk information to a pedestrian regarding where to cross a road. | 11-26-2009 |
| 20090292458 | Map distribution systems, methods and programs - Map information distribution systems, methods, and programs that update map information based and distribute the update information, send update request information for requesting the update information of the map information, receive the update request information, and obtain the update information corresponding to the received update request information. The systems, methods, and programs obtain updated content corresponding to the obtained update information, assign a score to the updated content based on factor information corresponding to the obtained updated content, assign an order of priority to the respective updated content based on the scores assigned to the respective updated content, distribute the update information and the prioritized updated content, update the map information based on the received update information, and notify a user of the received updated content based on the order of priority assigned to the updated content. | 11-26-2009 |
| 20090292459 | COOPERATIVE GEOLOCATION BASED ON INTER-VEHICULAR COMMUNICATION - A cooperative event location system is provided having a first system in a first vehicle and a second system. The first system includes a first event detection component to detect an occurrence of an event, a first measurement component to determine a distance traveled from the event, a first processing component coupled to the event detection component and the measurement component to prepare an event message, and a first short-range communication component coupled to the processing component and configured to transmit the event message to the second system remote from the first system. The second system includes a second short-range communication component to receive the event message, a satellite navigation component to provide location information, and a processing component coupled to the second communication component and the satellite navigation component to determine in latitude and longitude coordinates a location of the event. | 11-26-2009 |
| 20090292460 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR NAVIGATING A FACILITY - Systems and methods are described for enabling the monitoring and navigation of a complex of known rooms or facilities having known objects, attributes and/or people associated therewith, wherein different locations of the objects, attributes and/or people within the facilities are related and accessible over known, well-defined alternate paths. Sensor information may be used to facilitate the monitoring and navigation of the facility. At least some systems and methods may be used to enable the navigation of a building or a set of buildings by displaying an interactive graphical map of the building on a display device carried by a user. | 11-26-2009 |
| 20090299618 | METHOD FOR OPERATING A NAVIGATION DEVICE AND A CORRESPONDING NAVIGATION DEVICE - In order to provide a method for operating a navigation device, which also receives TMC data using two tuners for ascertaining an optimum travel route, using which an optimal travel route is ascertainable using the largest amount of TMC data possible, after a first search by the second tuner, the TMC data found are compared with those of the first tuner and to use the second tuner for searching for another transmitter having other TMC data. Furthermore, a navigation device of an appropriate design is provided. | 12-03-2009 |
| 20090299619 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR VISUAL FLIGHT RULE (VFR) CHART GENERATION - A method for generating one or more navigational charts for a geographic area is described. The method includes determining a frequency of travel between a plurality of destinations for the geographic area, the geographic area including a number of travel routes therein, defining one or more bounding boxes for placement within the geographic area, where the placement optimizes the number of travel routes within each bounding box, and generating one or more navigation charts for the area that have boundaries based on the bounding box definitions. | 12-03-2009 |
| 20090299620 | METHOD FOR SEARCHING ROUTES OF A PORTABLE TERMINAL - The present invention relates to a navigation function of a portable terminal. The invention provides a route search method of a portable terminal to provide various route search option in the navigation function, besides a conventional search option that guides a shortest route. | 12-03-2009 |
| 20090299621 | AUTOMOBILE NAVIGATION APPARATUS - An automobile navigation apparatus, that has a rewritable recording medium and capability to updates the map data base by obtaining latest map data, records the map data in the recording means and comprises updating data acquisition means that acquires updated data of a map to which updating procedure is added, an information interpreting means that interprets the updating procedure information, and a map data updating means that searches over said map data base and updates said map data base on the basis of the results of such interpretation and manages the map data by using attributions that indicates additional information of the map elements which are composed into a table as the records thereof so that the row record of the table is classified by the attribution which indicates the additional information of the map element. | 12-03-2009 |
| 20090306881 | DETECTING PRINCIPAL DIRECTIONS OF UNKNOWN ENVIRONMENTS - Apparatus and methods according to some embodiments of the present invention use a graphical model, such as a Markov random field model, to represent principal driving directions within an environment. The model has a plurality of nodes representing spatial locations within the environment, and the principal direction for each node is determined probabilistically using linear features detected within an image of the environment. Apparatus and methods according to embodiments of the present invention can be used in improved autonomous navigation systems, such as robotic vehicles. | 12-10-2009 |
| 20090306882 | SYSTEM, APPARATUS, OR METHOD FOR ENHANCED ROUTE DIRECTIONS - Embodiments of methods, apparatuses, devices and systems associated with generating a textual explanation of a route including POI information are disclosed. | 12-10-2009 |
| 20090306883 | Method for Visualizing Geographic Data - In a method for visualizing geographic data using at least two-dimensional objects, at least one surface of the objects is covered with at least one texture, which texture is dynamically assigned to the at least one surface of the objects as a function of at least one input factor. | 12-10-2009 |
| 20090306884 | DISPLAY DEVICE FOR DISPLAYING A TRAVEL ROUTE - A display device is for displaying a travel route, the travel route including a chain of route elements, and each route element having a measured value and a quantity of attributes. The display device includes a partial chain ascertainer, a calculation unit, a sorter, and a display unit. For each attribute of at least one route element the partial chain ascertainer determines a continuous partial chain of route elements of maximum length, including the route element, that have an identical attribute. For each partial chain, the calculation unit calculates an individual total measured value from the measured values of the route elements of the partial chain. The sorter sorts the quantity of attributes for the at least one route element into a sequence of hierarchical levels according to a quantitative relation of the total measured values of the partial chains of the attributes, and the display unit displays the attributes of the at least one route element in a hierarchical representation in accordance with the hierarchy levels. | 12-10-2009 |
| 20090306885 | DETERMINING REQUEST DESTINATION - A display system includes a display section; an executing section that executes one or more applications; a plurality of virtual frame buffers each storing image information and transparency information of points on the display screen which are generated by one or more applications; a drawing section for drawing a multilayer image on the display screen by pasting the contents in virtual frame buffers and executing the process of alphablending; a storage section for storing the threshold transparency of each layer; an input section for receiving a position on the display screen from the user as a process request; and a destination determining section for determining, in response to input, whether the transparency at the position is larger than the threshold value of each layer, and determining an application related to a layer for which a positive determination is made as the destination of the request. | 12-10-2009 |
| 20090312942 | ROUTE EVALUATION SYSTEM - A route evaluation system includes a processor, a computer readable memory and a database that stores roadway data pertaining to a route. A first routine is arranged to obtain selected roadway data from the database. A second routine is arranged to determine a route from an origin to a destination based at least in part on the roadway data. A third routine is arranged to compute a set of navigation parameters for the route. A fourth routine is arranged to compare the set of navigation parameters to at least one vehicle maneuverability parameter of a vehicle. | 12-17-2009 |
| 20090319166 | MOBILE COMPUTING SERVICES BASED ON DEVICES WITH DYNAMIC DIRECTION INFORMATION - Direction based pointing services are enabled for a portable electronic device including a positional component for receiving positional information as a function of a location of the portable electronic device, a directional component that outputs direction information as a function of an orientation of the portable electronic device and a location based engine that processes the positional information and the direction information to determine points of interest relative to the portable electronic device as a function of at least the positional information and the direction information. A set of scenarios with respect to non-movable endpoints of interest in the system emerge and these scenarios and other embodiments are described in more detail below. | 12-24-2009 |
| 20090319167 | METHOD AND APPARATUS TO PROVIDE LOCATION INFORMATION - A method of providing location information through a navigation device, the method including: obtaining location information from the Internet; and converting the obtained location information into data that can be used in the navigation device. | 12-24-2009 |
| 20090319168 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING METHOD - An image forming apparatus is provided with a first communication portion that obtains route information from a server, a second communication portion that obtains, from the server, additional information relating to the route information, a synthesis portion that incorporates an image included in the additional information into an area that is contained in an image included in the route information and that excludes the route and generates composite information, and a printer that prints an image based on the composite information generated by the synthesis portion onto a recording medium. | 12-24-2009 |
| 20090319169 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CREATING, STORING AND UTILIZING IMAGES OF A GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION - A system and method synthesizing images of a locale to generate a composite image that provide a panoramic view of the locale. A video camera moves along a street recording images of objects along the street. A GPS receiver and inertial navigation system provide the position of the camera as the images are being recorded. The images are indexed with the position data provided by the GPS receiver and inertial navigation system. The composite image is created on a column-by-column basis by determining which of the acquired images contains the desired pixel column, extracting the pixels associated with the column, and stacking the columns side by side. The composite images are stored in an image database and associated with a street name and number range of the street being depicted in the image. The image database covers a substantial amount of a geographic area allowing a user to visually navigate the area from a user terminal. | 12-24-2009 |
| 20090319170 | Method of navigating an agricultural vehicle, and an agricultural vehicle implementing the same - A method of navigating an agricultural vehicle, which is equipped with a 3D imaging device for imaging surroundings of the vehicle, and an image processing device, includes obtaining from the 3D imaging device frames imaging at least a part of the surroundings of the vehicle at different points of time while the vehicle is moving thus providing a chronological sequence of frames, analysing the frames, and establishing a change of pose of the vehicle using results of the analysis of at least two chronologically different frames. | 12-24-2009 |
| 20090326793 | Data formats and usage for massive point to point route calculation - The invention is directed to a method by which optimal paths are found between one or more start destinations and one or more end destinations. First destination and travel data is converted into a node and edge data format, wherein the nodes represent start points and the edges have a weight related to a travel weight. These nodes and edges are subdivided into subsets. The paths between the start nodes and each of the end nodes are determined using the node and edge representations stored in the subsets. A selected union of subsets is determined that contains the start end destinations. The optimal paths are determined by using the travel values associated with the edges connecting the nodes. The union of subsets, which may comprise less than the full amount of subsets, is loaded for the path determination. Or, when the path determination perceives that a relevant boundary has been reached in a path determination, that next subset in the union of subsets is loaded. The newly loaded subset is “joined” to the already loaded subsets, thus allowing the completion of the path determination. | 12-31-2009 |
| 20090326794 | Method for selecting elements in a driver information system or in a navigation system or in a mobile terminal - A method for destination selection in a navigation system in which each destination from a totality of all destinations is defined by destination parameters and a set of possible destinations from the totality of all destinations is limited step-wise due to the input of individual characters for one parameter. When inputting the characters, a switch may be made from one destination parameter to an input of a character for another parameter. | 12-31-2009 |
| 20090326795 | METHOD OF PERSONAL NAVIGATION USING STRIDE VECTORING - A method of error compensation for an inertial measurement unit is provided. The method comprises providing a first object including an inertial measurement unit, providing a second object proximal to the first object, and determining an initial position and orientation of the first object. A motion update is triggered for the inertial measurement unit when the second object is stationary with respect to a ground surface. At least one position vector is measured between the first object and the second object when the first object is in motion and the second object is stationary. A distance, direction, and orientation of the second object with respect to the first object are calculated using the at least one position vector. An error correction is then determined for the inertial measurement unit from the calculated distance, direction, and orientation of the second object with respect to the first object. | 12-31-2009 |
| 20090326796 | METHOD AND SYSTEM TO ESTIMATE DRIVING RISK BASED ON A HEIRARCHICAL INDEX OF DRIVING - A system and method for providing driving risk assessment for a host vehicle equipped with on-board sensors or vehicle-to-vehicle or infrastructure-to-vehicle systems. The system includes a hierarchical index of passive driving conditions, a means of collecting active driving conditions and a processor whereby the sum of passive driving conditions may be further refined by the active driving conditions The method incorporates a hierarchical index of risks associated with passive driving conditions, and refining said risks with active driving conditions of the vehicle to generating a driving risk assessment for current vehicle operation. | 12-31-2009 |
| 20090326797 | System and Method for Providing Multiple Portions of A Route In A Telematics System - A method for communicating navigational information to a telematics unit. The method comprises receiving route requirements; calculating a plurality of portions of a route, each portion calculated according to different sets of criteria, the criteria determined from the route requirements; and sending the plurality of portions to the telematics unit. The portions of the route can be provided to the telematics unit sequentially, with non-final portions including a trigger for indicating to the telematics unit when to request the next portion. The portions can also be provided to the telematics unit as a complete route comprising concatenated route portions. | 12-31-2009 |
| 20100004849 | MOBILE VEHICLE NAVIGATION METHOD AND APPARATUS THEREOF - A method and device for updating map data of a navigation device. The method includes receiving information relating to an area update of the map data from a data server via a wireless broadcast to the navigation device; and displaying the information in graphical form on a map displayed on a display screen. The method may further include receiving a user input selecting an area on the map corresponding to the area update; wirelessly transmitting the area as an area selection to the data server; wirelessly receiving updated map information corresponding to the selected area from the data server; and loading the received updated map information into the navigation device. | 01-07-2010 |
| 20100004850 | NAVIGATION SYSTEM AND OPERATION GUIDANCE DISPLAY METHOD FOR USE IN THIS NAVIGATION SYSTEM - A navigation system according to the present invention includes a control device | 01-07-2010 |
| 20100004851 | Navigation devices, methods, and programs - Navigation devices, methods, and programs accept an input of a character, acquire a stored keyword that corresponds to the input character from a storage unit that stores keywords, and display at least one acquired keyword on a display. The devices, methods, and programs accept a selection of one of the displayed keywords, set a search term based on the input character and the selected keyword, and search location information items stored in the storage unit using the set search term. The devices, methods, and programs store a character string representing the set search term as a keyword in the storage unit, acquire deletion information that designates a location information item to be deleted from the storage unit, delete the location information item to be deleted from the storage unit, and delete a stored keyword that is included in a search term for the deleted location information item. | 01-07-2010 |
| 20100004852 | NAVIGATION APPARATUS, NAVIGATION METHOD AND NAVIGATION PROGRAM - A navigation device searches for a facility that matches a category input by a user and displays an icon for indicating the searched facility. The navigation device includes a usage determination unit and a display control unit. The usage determination unit determines whether a host vehicle has used the searched facility based on map information and a host vehicle status. If it is determined by the usage determination unit that the host vehicle has used the searched facility, the display control unit executes a control to change a display status of an icon for indicating the facility that was determined as used, and a display status of an icon for indicating another facility in the same category as the facility that was determined as used. | 01-07-2010 |
| 20100010732 | METHOD FOR VEHICLE ROUTE PLANNING - A method of planning a vehicle route includes estimating fuel requirements of identified alternative routes or route segments using navigation, vehicle, and powertrain information. The method also includes displaying for a vehicle operator a list of alternate routes that features either absolute or relative values representative of such estimated fuel requirements. The method further includes adapting values used to estimate fuel requirements based upon current powertrain operating parameters, and alerting the vehicle operator when actual vehicle fuel economy along a selected route varies significantly from the estimated fuel requirement. | 01-14-2010 |
| 20100017108 | Map Information Distribution Center and Map Information Distribution Method - Map information distribution systems and methods store map information and version information for each road category of the map information stored in a navigation device, the version information correlated with identification information identifying the navigation device. The systems and methods receive the identification information from the navigation device and obtain, based on the received identification information, the version information for each road category of the map information stored in the navigation device corresponding to the stored identification information. The systems and methods extract, based on the obtained version information for each road category, differential data for each road category with stored map information of a latest version, and transmit the extracted differential data for each road category to the navigation device corresponding to the received identification information. | 01-21-2010 |
| 20100017109 | ADDING DESTINATIONS TO NAVIGATION DEVICE - In one embodiment of the present invention, a navigation system is disclosed including a navigation device for planning a route to a destination, a web server for providing an electronic document and a computing device including an Internet browser application for receiving the electronic document from a web server and displaying the electronic document on a display screen, the electronic document including at least one destination, the navigation system being arranged to add the destination to the navigation device. | 01-21-2010 |
| 20100017110 | NAVIGATION SERVER, NAVIGATION APPARATUS, AND NAVIGATION SYSTEM - Provided is a navigation system which can contribute to guidance of a moving device such as a vehicle to a destination along a route appropriate from a viewpoint of energy economy. According to second information (VIN, L | 01-21-2010 |
| 20100023249 | OPEN AREA MAPS WITH RESTRICTION CONTENT - Open area maps and related systems and methods are disclosed. For example, one method includes receiving an image of a layout corresponding to a real-world area in which a person walks about. A restriction associated to a passageway within the image is generated. The image is used to generate a routable map for point-to-point routing. Routing through or around the restriction is based on whether or not criteria for passing the restriction is met. | 01-28-2010 |
| 20100030459 | METHOD OF GENERATING IMPROVED MAP DATA FOR USE IN NAVIGATION DEVICES - In one embodiment of the present invention, an end-user can input a correction to a map error, directly on the device. The device is then able to use the correction without external processing of the correction. Hence, it is no longer necessary for an end-user to simply report errors to the map vendor over a web link, then wait for that map vendor to verify the error, update its maps and finally supply the end-user with updates—a cycle that can take months and sometimes years to complete. Instead, in one example embodiment, the navigation device can use the correction immediately. End-users can also share correction with other end-users and also with a shared remote server that aggregates, validates and distributes corrections. | 02-04-2010 |
| 20100030460 | MAP UPDATE DATA SUPPLY APPARATUS, MAP DATA UPDATE SYSTEM, AND MAP UPDATE DATA SUPPLY METHOD - A map update data supply apparatus includes: isolation detection means ( | 02-04-2010 |
| 20100036598 | Information Processing System and Method for Processing Information Regarding Consecutive Units - For the further development of an information processing system (navigation assistance), an allocated navigation system, and a method for processing data with regard to successive units, such as successive spatial and/or temporal route segments of a path, at least one information list having at least one information element being allocated to each unit, in such a way that data or information items that are equivalent per se, such as road names or road numbers of a path or a route, are weighted with regard to successive units, such as path segments or route segments, and especially so that no faulty data (travel recommendations) are output that irritate and/or disturb the user, it is provided that in at least one of the information lists at least one of the information elements is weighted while taking into consideration the relationship, as a function of the order, of the unit, to which this information list is allocated, to at least one of the further units. | 02-11-2010 |
| 20100036599 | SAFEST TRANSPORTATION ROUTING - Methods and systems for determining a safest transportation route include determining a risk value for each of a set of candidate routes between an origin and a destination based on one or more safety factors or criteria, and comparing the risk values to determine the safest route. The risk values may be based upon default or selected safety factors, and may correspond to a normalized cost per unit distance. Safety factors may be derived from map data, obtained from user input and/or derived from other statistical data. User preferences and priorities may be included in the process for determining a safest route. Determined safest routes may be displayed, and may indicate especially risky portions of the determined safest route. | 02-11-2010 |
| 20100036600 | PORTABLE DEVICE AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE SYSTEM - A portable device is mountable on an in-vehicle device. The portable device has a plurality of modes. A control unit is configured to automatically select one mode from among the modes when the portable device is mounted on the in-vehicle device. The one mode to be automatically selected by the control unit is user-presettable. | 02-11-2010 |
| 20100042313 | Phone map - The invention in this patent application is to input a telephone number (instead of an address) to search for a route in a GPS navigator system or an online or electronic map. | 02-18-2010 |
| 20100042314 | ROUTE GUIDANCE METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR IMPLEMENTING SUCH A METHOD, AS WELL AS A CORRESPONDING COMPUTER PROGRAM AND A CORRESPONDING COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM - The invention relates to a route guidance method and a system for implementing such a method, and a corresponding computer-readable storage medium, which in particular may be used for an adaptive route guidance, the travel routes being selected that offer the highest safety when following the required driving maneuvers. For this purpose, it is recommended to output driving recommendations as a function of the risk of calculated routes. To this end, information about the current traffic situation in the surroundings of the vehicle is evaluated, the risk of the driving maneuvers resulting from calculated routes is evaluated using the results of the evaluation by at least one computer program, and driving instructions are output as a function of the evaluation. | 02-18-2010 |
| 20100042315 | MAP INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS - A map information processing apparatus includes a map information storage unit | 02-18-2010 |
| 20100049431 | Navigation Using Portable Reading Machine - Navigation techniques including map based and object recognition based and especially adapted for use in a portable reading machine are described. | 02-25-2010 |
| 20100057336 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ROAD MAP CREATION - The present invention provides system and method for creation of a road map, the system comprising a plurality of navigation devices; and an application server to receive from the plurality of navigation devices time series of location points, and to create a road map based on the time series of location points. The method comprising receiving location points from plurality of navigation devices, along with respective time stamps indicating the time of recordation of each of the location points; identifying at least one route according to the location points and respective time stamps; and creating a road map based on the at least one route. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100057337 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING DIGITAL MAP, ROUTING, OR NAVIGATION INFORMATION WITH NEED-BASED ROUTING - A system and method for providing digital map or navigation information with need-based routing. In accordance with an embodiment, the system disclosed herein provides a means for suppliers, such as suppliers or retailers of goods and services, to provide information about the availability of those goods and services. When a user interacts with the system and a need is determined, the system can offer information, such as directing the user to an appropriate supplier, including where appropriate a map and/or route to the supplier. In accordance with an embodiment the system can take into account the user's location, and/or the supplier's locations, and/or a cost associated with an item, and/or other geographic and non-geographic information that can be stored and retrieved from a digital map or a supplier. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100057338 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ROUTE TRACKING - The disclosure relates to a method for tracking and routing multiple vehicles by collecting travel route information from a first vehicle by a plurality of collectors, each of the plurality of collectors positioned at a respective location throughout a travel route of the first vehicle; identifying a second vehicle at a first of the plurality of the collectors and directing the second vehicle through the travel route of the first vehicle by identifying the travel route of the first vehicle to the second vehicle at each of the plurality of collectors; compiling travel data from each of the first vehicle and the second vehicle to determine a travel time for the first vehicle and a travel time for the second vehicle, the compiled travel data defining the travel time as a function of a traffic pattern and a traffic light sequence. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100057339 | CALCULATION OF ENERGY OPTIMIZED ROUTE - Methods are provided for determining an energy optimized route for a vehicle. In one example, the method includes providing a plurality of cost factors, each cost factor influencing the energy consumption of the vehicle. At least one cost factor is selected from among the cost factors. A composite cost factor is determined using the selected at least one cost factor. An energy optimized route is then determined based on the composite cost factor. Systems are also provided for determining an energy optimized route for a vehicle. An example system includes a set of cost factors, each cost factor influencing the energy consumption of the vehicle. A classification unit is included for selecting cost factors for the route and for including the selected cost factors in a composite cost factor for the route. A calculator is also included for calculating the energy optimized route based on the composite cost factor. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100076674 | Route Navigation via a Proximity Point - A system and method is provided that uses one or more points, e.g., “smart via” input points, e.g., a center of a city such as a large city, to determine one or more points, e.g., smart via output points. A smart via output point determined from a smart via input point can be used, together with origination and destination points, to identify an optimal navigational route between the origination and destination points. A navigational route generated using the smart via output point, an origination point and a destination point travels in proximity to the smart via input point. | 03-25-2010 |
| 20100076675 | ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY DRIVING NAVIGATION - The disclosure relates to vehicle navigation systems. More specifically, the disclosure relates to vehicle navigation systems that utilize fuel use and emissions criteria as a parameter to determine directions between two locations. | 03-25-2010 |
| 20100082229 | PORTABLE NAVIGATION DEVICE PROVIDING CONVERSATIONAL SYSTEM AND PROCESSING METHOD THEREOF - A processing method for a portable navigation device equipped with a conversation system is disclosed. When the portable navigation device is operating in a dumb mode, events are displayed on a screen of the device according to preset conditions and parameters. In a normal mode, events scheduled in the 1 | 04-01-2010 |
| 20100088011 | OPTIMAL VEHICLE ROUTER WITH ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - A method is present for generating a route for a vehicle. A start point and an end point are identified for the vehicle. A spatial model of terrain encompassing the start point and the end point is identified to form an identified spatial model. The route for the vehicle is generated from the start point to the end point using the spatial model based on a cost to traverse a grid point within a grid to meet a number of criteria for energy management for the vehicle. | 04-08-2010 |
| 20100088012 | OPTIMIZATION OF TRAVEL ROUTING - Travel routes for a vehicle from a first location of the vehicle to a second location are generated. Different alternative travel routes are calculated from a first location to a second location selected by a user for a specific vehicle in a navigation system. For each of the different alternative travel routes, both estimated emissions of the specific vehicle and also estimated fuel consumption of the specific vehicle when following each of the different alternative travel routes are computed. Subsequently, each of the different alternative travel routes are presented to a user in the navigation system in connection with corresponding estimated emissions and fuel consumption for each of the different alternative travel routes. | 04-08-2010 |
| 20100088013 | METHOD AND APPARATUS OF VEHICLE NAVIGATION SYSTEM FOR DETECTING AND AVOIDING CITY WITH CROWDED STREETS - A system for comparing various routes, identifying delays among the routes, and selecting a more desirable route, even if the desirable route is not the shortest distance, is described. In one embodiment, the more desirable route is the faster route. In one embodiment, the more desirable route is a route with fewer in-route delays. In one embodiment, the system loads a map from a memory and retrieves road level information based on position information of roads and delays. The roads in the map are described at various levels of detail, wherein lower levels contain more detail and relatively higher levels that contain less detail. One embodiment includes detecting a route having links with a substantially larger number of delays and adding an additional penalty cost for the links at higher levels based on penalties computed from the links at lower level road levels. If a current road level is not the highest, one embodiment include adding the additional penalty cost into a “penalty list” of a higher level link having the links of a current road level in order to detect the higher links with a large number of delays while calculating route at a higher level. When calculating a route (or portion of a route) at a higher road level, an additional penalty cost is added to the higher level links if based on the penalty list. | 04-08-2010 |
| 20100088014 | COMPUTER PROCESS AND PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR GENERATING AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL MAP WHICH CAN BE CONSULTED BY MEANS OF NAVIGATION - A computer process and tool (I_Sys), or information system, are described which permit electronically archiving information related to archaeological discoveries, in order to allow interested parties to easily consult such information and to allow safer, efficient and systematic preservation of such information. In particular, an efficient archaeological information system is described for the analysis, reconstruction, archiving and knowledge of landscapes, structures, and objects which are representations of antiquity. | 04-08-2010 |
| 20100088015 | Navigation System Having Simplified Display Mode and Display Method Thereof - A navigation system is provided. The navigation system operates in a normal operating mode and a simplified mode. The navigation system includes a processing module and a display module. When the navigation system operates in the normal operating mode, the processing module generates display content, which comprises a plurality of geographic information layers to display road information. The display module displays the display content on a display screen. When the navigation system operates in the simplified display mode, the processing module omits partial display content, such as partial geographic information layers, to generate simplified display content. The display module displays the simplified display content on the display screen. | 04-08-2010 |
| 20100094533 | Method and apparatus for variable speed route simulation operation for navigation system - A method for route simulation operation on a navigation system is able to complete the route simulation operation within a short period of time. The method includes the steps of: calculating a route from a starting point to a destination; determining a first route simulation speed for a preset number of first turns from the starting point; determining a second route simulation speed for a preset number of last turns before the destination; determining a third route simulation speed for a remaining part of the calculated route; and displaying a progression indicator on the calculated route to the destination on a map image on the screen of the navigation system and moving the progression indicator based on the simulation speeds determined in the above steps. | 04-15-2010 |
| 20100094534 | ELECTRONIC MAP ROUTES BASED ON ROUTE PREFERENCES - Users typically use routing systems including GPS systems, handheld devices, and online map routing services to navigate from one point to another (sometimes through several intermediate points). Routing systems typically calculate a route based on information derived from roadway maps. Typically, routing options focus on determining a shortest route, a route that can be traversed in the least amount of time, a route with the least use of freeways and toll roads, etc. Although routing options may be oriented towards helping users save time and money, the directions are generally confusing and do not take the users' driving preferences into account. Functionality can be implemented to determine a simplified route, regardless of time and distance, may present a driver with the least challenging set of directions. This may prevent the driver from missing a direction and navigating off the path. | 04-15-2010 |
| 20100094535 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND NAVIGATION DEVICE - An electronic device and a navigation device are provided. The electronic device comprises a display, a frequency modulation (FM) module and a coupling element. The display comprises a display metal frame. The coupling element is electrically connected to the FM module and overlapped with a part of the display metal frame, so as to form a capacitance structure between the coupling element and the display metal frame. | 04-15-2010 |
| 20100100309 | Navigation device and program - Navigation devices, methods, and programs store map data hierarchically with the map data of a hierarchy level being excluded. The devices, methods, and programs read the stored map data, perform a route search within each predetermined area on a departure point side and a destination side, and acquire a shortest cost route in a range overlapped in search areas. In a hierarchy level having a proximal higher hierarchy level of which the map data does not exist, the devices, methods, and programs expand the predetermined area into a search area in the proximal higher hierarchy level and acquire a first shortest cost route, and perform the route search in a higher hierarchy level to acquire a second shortest cost route. When the second shortest cost route's cost is smaller than the first shortest cost route's cost, the devices, methods, and programs update the cost of the shortest cost route. | 04-22-2010 |
| 20100106397 | METHOD, NAVIGATION DEVICE, AND SERVER FOR DETERMINING A LOCATION IN A DIGITAL MAP DATABASE - One embodiment of the present invention discloses a method for determining a location in a first digital map database based on a query. The method includes receiving a request comprising a query for a first location not included by the first digital map database. Then, the method includes searching for the first location in a second digital map database, and in case the first location is found in the second digital map database, searching for a second location nearby the first location, the second location being included by the first digital map database. | 04-29-2010 |
| 20100106398 | Computing-Time-Efficient Route Determination Along Several Preset Path Points with Given Connecting Routes In-Between - A process for determining a route along more than two mutually consecutive preset path points with given connecting routes in-between. In this case, a plurality of connecting routes is given between at least one pair of two mutually consecutive path points. Respective costs and preferably also a respective time duration are assigned to each connecting route. In a first step of the process, a tree is generated which comprises edges and nodes connected by edges. Each node is assigned to a defined path point and each edge corresponds to a connecting route. The route is determined based on a selection of edges of the tree. | 04-29-2010 |
| 20100114469 | NAVIGATION SYSTEM HAVING DYNAMIC ADAPTIVE ROUTING AND METHOD OF OPERATION THEREOF - A method of operation of a navigation system having dynamic adaptive routing includes detecting a navigation event; updating a driver profile with the navigation event; calculating a navigation routing parameter with the driver profile; and sending the navigation routing parameter for displaying on a multimedia display interface of a device. | 05-06-2010 |
| 20100114470 | ROUTE SEARCH APPARATUS, ROUTE SEARCH METHOD, ROUTE SEARCH PROGRAM AND STORAGE MEDIUM - A route searching device is composed as a terminal device for a PC or the like which carries out route searching by making use of a navigation device and map data. Route calculation data used for the search of a route include candidate link data indicative of a link subjected to calculation for a candidate route by way of a node in addition to node data and link data. A route calculating means carries out route calculations for a candidate link, as a subject, that candidate link data indicate for a node in which the candidate link data exist and for a link, as a subject, along a route in which no candidate link data exist. | 05-06-2010 |
| 20100114471 | NAVIGATION DEVICE - A navigation device | 05-06-2010 |
| 20100114472 | Route calculation device, navigation apparatus and computer readable medium - A route calculation device is disclosed. The route calculation device sets a recommended route leading from a departure point through via-points and sets an order of the via-points in the recommended route, through: (1) calculating multiple optimum routes from an origin point of a departure side route to multiple unarranged via-points and selecting one unarranged via-point that constitutes one optimum route that has minimum cost among the multiple optimum routes; (2) determining the place of the one unarranged via-point in the order so that the recommended route passes through the one unarranged via-point one via-point later than the origin point, adding the one optimum route to the departure side route, and setting the origin point to the one unarranged via-point; and (3) calculating, when the number of unarranged via-points becomes one, the optimum route between the origin point and the last one unarranged via-point. | 05-06-2010 |
| 20100114473 | Navigation Device and Navigation Method - A central device uses a link shape compression unit to compress information of shape of ups and downs of a road link obtained from a three-dimensional road map, and calculates a geometry parameter based on variation of energy of a vehicle travelling on the road link. An on-board terminal device estimates the vehicle's average travelling pattern by using a travel-pattern-estimation unit based on the geometry parameter calculated by the central device, a link-travelling time estimated from statistically-stored traffic information, and a link length. The on-board terminal device further calculates fuel consumption of the vehicle travelling on each road link based on the estimated travelling pattern and parameters of the vehicle by using a fuel-consumption calculation unit, and then, searches a fuel-efficient route by using the fuel consumption as a link cost. The on-board terminal device has a vehicle-type selector for selecting a type of the vehicle. The present invention can reduce data size of information processed by the on-board terminal device, and facilitate application of a fuel-efficient route search to various types of vehicles. | 05-06-2010 |
| 20100114474 | ROAD INFORMATION ACQUISITION DEVICE AND ROAD INFORMATION ACQUISITION METHOD - A road information acquisition device includes: a surface elevation acquisition unit that obtains a surface elevation; a road information acquisition unit that calculates first road information relating to a travel route to be traveled by a host vehicle on the basis of the surface elevation; and a structure determination unit that determines whether or not a structure exists on the travel route, wherein, when the structure determination unit determines that the structure exists on the travel route, the road information acquisition unit obtains second road information, which is different from the first road information, relating to a point at which the structure exists on the travel route. | 05-06-2010 |
| 20100121561 | CAR NAVIGATION SYSTEM - To improve recognition accuracy of a traveling direction of a vehicle by accurately detecting a marking on a road surface which is photographed by a camera while a road environment where a vehicle travels is changing. A car navigation system | 05-13-2010 |
| 20100121562 | AUTOMATED ROUTE DETERMINATION - A preferred route may be determined from an origin location to a destination location. The determination is made by processing directed links (e.g., one-way edges) in a graph that includes one or more links and two or more nodes. The determination of a preferred route may include an estimate of the time required at one or more intersections along alternative. Individual routing preferences, such as a preference of a rural over an urban route, also may be considered. Techniques are described that may help reduce the time required to identify a preferred route, including the identification and removal of no outlet routes before processing the directed links and techniques using particular data formats. | 05-13-2010 |
| 20100125404 | ADAPTIVE MOUNTING WITHIN AN INERTIAL NAVIGATION SYSTEM - An inertial navigation system includes a housing mountable to a vehicle and a sensor assembly located within the housing. The sensor assembly includes at least one accelerometer or gyroscope operable to measure an amount of movement of the sensor assembly. In addition, at least one adjustable mount attaches the sensor assembly to the housing and is adjustable to change its stiffness, and thus its natural frequency, based on a signal initially generated by the sensor assembly, processed by a processor, and then received through a feedback control loop. In one embodiment, the adjustable mount may take the form of a piezoelectric device. In another embodiment, the adjustable mount may take the form of a magnetorheological fluid device. | 05-20-2010 |
| 20100125405 | METHOD FOR CONTROLLING MAP AND MOBILE TERMINAL USING THE SAME - A method for controlling a map is provided. The method comprises displaying a map on a display module of a mobile terminal and registering a point on the map, selected by using at least one of a user input unit and a sensing unit, as a shortcut point and displaying a shortcut icon on the map. | 05-20-2010 |
| 20100131183 | System for finding vehicles parked inside buildings and roofed surfaces - To find an automobile or another vehicle that it was left parked, in spaces intended for such purpose, by means of widely used current technology, of simple use and without adding accessories to the vehicle. | 05-27-2010 |
| 20100131184 | Method for creating suggested pathways for helping pedestrians cross open spaces - A method of creating suggested pathways across a predefined area for guiding pedestrians across the predefined area is disclosed. The method includes loading a polygon representation of the predefined area, the polygon comprising at least four vertices, and connecting pairs of non-adjacent vertices of the polygon to create the suggested pathways. Alternatively, the method can generate a polygon representation of the predefined area, identify all nodes on a border of the polygon, the nodes being formed by the intersection of two roads on or adjacent to the border of the polygon, and connect pairs of nodes to create the suggested pathways. | 05-27-2010 |
| 20100131185 | Efficient Data Acquisition for Track Databases - Methods for surveying a train track are disclosed. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, an improved method of rail survey deploys feature identification tags along an inner edge of a train track rail. Each tag includes a unique identifier to identify a respective feature along the train track. Each tag includes a reflector to reflect light to a sensor on a track surveyor. The sensor reads track feature tags without the need for stopping at each feature. A track database is provided that is capable of storing tables that associate track features with geo-locations. As each tag is deployed or read during a rail survey, it can be paired with geo-location data and stored in the track database. | 05-27-2010 |
| 20100131186 | METHOD OF GENERATING IMPROVED MAP DATA FOR USE IN NAVIGATION DEVICES, MAP DATA AND NAVIGATION DEVICE THEREFOR - In one embodiment of the present invention, an end-user can input a correction to a map error, directly on the device. The device is then able to use the correction without external processing of the correction. Hence, it is no longer necessary for an end-user to simply report errors to the map vendor over a web link, then wait for that map vendor to verify the error, update its maps and finally supply the end-user with updates—a cycle that can take months and sometimes years to complete. Instead, the navigation device can use the correction immediately. End-users can also share corrections with other end-users and also with a shared remote server that aggregates, validates and distributes corrections. | 05-27-2010 |
| 20100131187 | POI RECOMMENDATION APPARATUS AND METHODS, AND STORAGE MEDIA - The invention discloses a POI recommendation apparatus comprising a database and a POI recommendation module. The database provides a plurality of predetermined POIs, each having popularity information corresponding to a time period. The POI recommendation module finds out a recommended POI corresponding to the time period from the predetermined POIs according to the popularity information, and transmits the recommended POI to an electronic device. | 05-27-2010 |
| 20100131188 | Navigation system and control method thereof - A navigation system includes a touch screen for receiving a touch input and displaying a navigation map, mode-switching means for issuing a mode-switching command to switch the navigation system into an input mode, a memory for storing a database, and a controller to recognize a handwriting input or a gesture input to acquire an input information, search the database for a facility information corresponding to the input information, and show facilities represented by the facility information in the navigation map. | 05-27-2010 |
| 20100138143 | Map data processor and method for processing information based on map data - 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. | 06-03-2010 |
| 20100138144 | NAVIGATION DEVICE AND DISPLAY METHOD - Provided is a navigation device which can automatically display on a map screen, an icon of a facility, information of which is not held in the navigation device. According to the navigation device ( | 06-03-2010 |
| 20100145601 | NAVIGATION BASED ON USER-DEFINED POINTS AND PATHS - A device receives, from a user device, a user-defined starting point associated with a path to be navigated by a user associated with the user device, a user-defined destination point associated with the path, and one or more user-defined intermediate points provided between the user-defined starting point and the user-defined destination point. The device also creates a user-defined path based on the user-defined starting point, the user-defined destination point, and the one or more user-defined intermediate points, and provides the user-defined path to the user device. | 06-10-2010 |
| 20100145602 | Methods, Systems, And Computer Program Products For Associating Resources Of A First Geospace With A Second Geospace - Associating resources of a first geospace with a second geospace is described. In one aspect, a first representation of a resource is presented at a first location in a first map associated with a first address space. The first location has a first address in the first address space. A request is received to present a second representation of the resource in a second map associated with a second address space. The first address is translated to a second address in the second address space based on a relationship associating the first address space with the second address space. The translation includes establishing an association between the second address and the network identifier based on an association between the first address and the network identifier. The second representation of the resource is presented in the second map at a second location having the second address. | 06-10-2010 |
| 20100145603 | PATH INFORMATION PROVIDING SERVER, METHOD OF PROVIDING PATH INFORMATION, AND TERMINAL - Provided are an apparatus and method of providing path information based on a status of a path and/or a purpose of the use of the path. A path information providing server collects environmental information from a sensing device. The path information providing server receives a path information request including a departure and a destination from a terminal device, and provides path information generated by mapping environmental data to a searched path. | 06-10-2010 |
| 20100145604 | Navigation device and navigation road data creating device - A navigation device stores road data in a storage part. The road data includes a consecutive connection of a plurality of links as a link queue, the plurality of links acquired by sectioning a road length into a plurality of pieces. The navigation device includes a guidance part that performs route search and guidance to a destination using the road data. The link queue includes a standard link for which, based on a sectioned link of a specific road stored in the storage part, information relating to the sectioned link is stored as road-related information in the storage part, and an invariance link for which the road-related information is not stored in the storage part if there is no difference in the road-related information compared to an adjacent link in the link queue. A navigation road data creating device is also provided. | 06-10-2010 |
| 20100145605 | Aircraft Navigation Aid Device - Aircraft navigation aid device. The device ( | 06-10-2010 |
| 20100145606 | Geographic database with detailed local data - A method is disclosed for representing locations in a geographic database in a manner that facilitates navigation and routing. A core map database includes data that represents public roads in a geographic region. Each of a plurality of location map databases includes data that represent facilities, such as businesses, stores, offices, or other places, that are physically located away from the public network and access to which requires travel on paths away from the public road network. Each of the facilities represented in the location map databases is assigned a location reference code that is associated with data from which a path connecting the facility and the public road network can be determined. | 06-10-2010 |
| 20100152997 | Automatic updating of favorite places for navigation system upon change of home address - A method and apparatus for automatically updating information on favorite places upon change of home address. The method includes the steps of: checking data received by the navigation system to detect whether the old home address of a user has been changed to the new home address; searching for favorite places around the new home address equivalent to that around the old home address; determining whether the updating of the favorite places should be conducted automatically or upon instruction by the user; updating the favorite places by replacing the favorite places for the old home address with the equivalent favorite places for the new home address; and repeating the above steps every time when there is a change in the home address. | 06-17-2010 |
| 20100152998 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TRIP ROUTING WITH CONFIGURABLE CONSTRAINTS - A method of analyzing a path by defining a plurality of contiguous geographical regions, each to have a uniform value of a characteristic affecting travel through the region and evaluating the path from a point in an origin region through an intermediate region to a point in a destination region. Related methods and means of representing paths, and systems to implement the methods are also described and claimed. | 06-17-2010 |
| 20100152999 | System And Method For Selecting And Presenting A Route To A User - A method and system are provided for selecting and presenting a route to a user. An exemplary embodiment includes storing a plurality of associations, each association between a route taken by a user and user characteristics. Received from a particular user is a request for at least one recommended route to a destination point. A query is formulated based on user specified parameters, including an origination point, the destination point, and characteristics of other users, to obtain routes taken by other users. A plurality of routes taken by other users having at least some of the characteristics of other users and related to at least one of the origination point and the destination point is retrieved from the stored plurality of associations. At least one recommended route is recommended to the particular user based on at least one of the retrieved routes that most closely matches the user specified parameters. | 06-17-2010 |
| 20100161207 | MOBILE TERMINAL AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING LOCATION-BASED SERVICE THEREOF - A mobile terminal and method for providing a location-based service of the mobile terminal. The mobile terminal includes: a user input unit configured to receive an input for selecting a certain point whose geographical information is desired to be received; a wireless communication unit configured to receive location information including omnidirectional visual information collected by an information collecting terminal installed at a position related to the selected certain point; a controller configured to generate visual information related to the certain point by using the received location information; and an output unit configured to display the generated visual information. | 06-24-2010 |
| 20100168994 | Navigation System and Methods for Generating Enhanced Search Results - A navigation system and various methods of using the system are described herein. Search query results generated by the system are listed and prioritized based upon travel related information and contextual information. Intermediary locations can be accessed based upon prioritizing search queries. | 07-01-2010 |
| 20100168995 | LOCATION IMPORTATION DATA DELIVERY APPARATUS, LOCATION DATA IMPORTATION SYSTEM AND METHOD OF IMPORTING LOCATION DATA - A location importation data delivery apparatus is disclosed, including a communications interface capable of receiving, when in use, a request to send location importation data for importation of at least part thereof into a navigation apparatus. The apparatus also includes a processing resource arranged to generate the location importation data. In at least one embodiment, the location importation data is organized in accordance with a data structure definition and the processing resource is arranged to provide the location importation data using a request/response communications protocol in response to the request to send the location importation data. | 07-01-2010 |
| 20100168996 | NAVIGATION SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR GENERATING ENHANCED SEARCH RESULTS - A navigation system and various methods of using the system are described herein. Search query results are refined by the system and are prioritized based at least in part upon sub-search categories selected during the searching process. Sub-searches can be represented by graphical icons displayed on the user interface. | 07-01-2010 |
| 20100168997 | MAP DISPLAY SYSTEM, MAP DISPLAY, AND MAP DISPLAY METHOD - Navigation-related information such as a road name or guidance is allowed to be dynamically displayed along a road on a map displayed on the display screen and the road displayed on the display screen, its road name, and the moving direction are also allowed to be made easy visual identification. A map display system for displaying the road name or the navigation-related information together with the road on a display means according to map data including data on the road and data on the road name comprises a display area determining means, a display direction determining means for determining the direction in which the display of a text displayed on a road image moves, a road-name extracting means, and a text data display control means. The road-name extracting means extracts the road and its road name which are to be displayed from the road data to display the road image in the display area determined by the display area determining means. The text data display control means moves the road name on to the road image at predetermined intervals to display it according to the display direction determined by the display direction determining means. | 07-01-2010 |
| 20100168998 | DRIVING ASSISTANCE DEVICE AND DRIVING ASSISTANCE METHOD - A driving assistance device includes an operation prediction unit and a travel trajectory generation unit. The operation prediction unit predicts that a driving operation is to be performed by a driver of a vehicle before the driver performs the driving operation. The travel trajectory generation unit generates a target travel trajectory of the vehicle based on a prediction result of the driving operation that has been predicted by the operation prediction unit. | 07-01-2010 |
| 20100174477 | Car navigation device - Removal of a memory card from a memory card slot is prevented during copying update data from the memory card loaded in the memory card slot to a storage medium. A control unit | 07-08-2010 |
| 20100174478 | Software Based Driving Directions - A method for electronically generating driving directions from a starting location to an ending location. The method including: indicating the ending location; indicating one or more preferences for the directions to include less than all steps that would otherwise be generated if not for the one or more preferences; and generating driving directions based on the starting location, ending location, and one or more preferences. | 07-08-2010 |
| 20100174479 | GENERATING ATTRIBUTE MODELS FOR USE IN ADAPTIVE NAVIGATION SYSTEMS - Adaptive navigation techniques are disclosed that allow navigation systems to learn from a user's personal driving history. As a user drives, models are developed and maintained to learn or otherwise capture the driver's personal driving habits and preferences. Example models include road speed, hazard, favored route, and disfavored route models. Other attributes can be used as well, whether based on the user's personal driving data or driving data aggregated from a number of users. The models can be learned under explicit conditions (e.g., time of day/week, driver ID) and/or under implicit conditions (e.g., weather, drivers urgency, as inferred from sensor data). Thus, models for a plurality of attributes can be learned, as well as one or more models for each attribute under a plurality of conditions. Attributes can be weighted according to user preference. The attribute weights and/or models can be used in selecting a best route for user. | 07-08-2010 |
| 20100185383 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IDENTIFYING CHANGES ON NAVIGATION PROCEDURE CHARTS - A system and method are provided for identifying changes on navigation procedure charts. A processing system is coupled with a user interface and a display device for access and display of old and new navigation procedure charts from different revision cycles. A computer software-based differences engine of the processing system obtains an old navigation procedure chart from an old chart storage memory and a new navigation procedure chart from a new chart storage memory. The differences engine determines changes in information from the old navigation procedure chart to the new navigation procedure chart. The navigation procedure charts may, for example, be aeronautical charts. The changes in information are visually identified such that the user can easily determine the changes that have been made from an old chart to a corresponding new chart. | 07-22-2010 |
| 20100185384 | Route guidance device, method, and program - Route guidance devices, methods, and programs provide guidance for a vehicle that is provided with a drive motor and an engine as drive sources. The devices, methods, and programs acquire a departure point and a destination for the vehicle and specify one or more motor drive recommended links for which driving with the drive motor as the drive source is recommended. The devices, methods, and programs specify a route that includes only motor drive recommended links and by which the vehicle can drive from the departure point to the destination using only the drive motor as the drive source and output the specified route on a display. | 07-22-2010 |
| 20100185385 | ROUTE BASED SEARCH - A route may be created and provided to a client. A stopping point along the route is received, and a search is performed for at least one point of interest according to the stopping point. Further, a route is created and provided to a client, and at least one stopping point associated with the route is identified based on at least one of a distance along the route, an indication of a place on a map, a category search, and a key word search. | 07-22-2010 |
| 20100191451 | Navigation apparatus - A navigation program is prepared for a navigation apparatus so as to be used in several different destination regions. When installing a navigation program, which is stored in a portable storage medium, into a memory device of a navigation apparatus, it is determined that a destination region of a navigation program currently recorded in the memory device is different from that of the portable storage medium. In such cases, not only the navigation program but also point registration information and contents data currently recorded in the memory device are erased; the navigation program is acquired from the portable storage medium and recorded in the memory device. Furthermore, user's setting information recorded in the memory device is erased while returning setting contents of the various functions to default states. | 07-29-2010 |
| 20100191452 | ROUTE SEARCHING APPARATUS, ROUTE SEARCHING METHOD AND PROGRAM - A route searching device performs route searching according to a search condition such as, for example, a user specification and calculates candidate routes. For the obtained candidate routes, a facility learning effect index is calculated on a per-route basis, and the candidate routes are presented according to the facility learning effect indices. The facility learning effect index here indicates, for each of the candidate routes, the degree of learning effect of learning the facilities existing on the route. Accordingly, a route can be obtained that has a high learning effect of learning the facilities on the route. | 07-29-2010 |
| 20100198494 | NAVIGATION SYSTEM HAVING ADAPTIVE COVERAGE AND METHOD OF OPERATION THEREOF - A method of operation of a navigation system having adaptive coverage includes: detecting a no service region or an intermittent loss of service region upcoming in a route; selecting an adaptive coverage operations block based on the no service region or based on the intermittent loss of service region for storing on a device; and sending data from the adaptive coverage operations block for displaying on the device. | 08-05-2010 |
| 20100198495 | USING BOUNDARIES ASSOCIATED WITH A MAP VIEW FOR BUSINESS LOCATION SEARCHING - A system aggregates entity location information from multiple documents distributed among multiple locations in a network. The system searches the entity location information to identify a first set of entities located within the entirety of a first geographic region selected by a user. The system provides a first digital map to the user via a network, the first digital map including the first geographic region and further including visual representations of the first set of identified entities and their associated geographic locations. | 08-05-2010 |
| 20100204910 | Navigational Display for Parachutists - A display system for a parachutist is provided based on navigation data and calculations of locations where the parachutist should steer the parachute to increase likelihood of reaching a target. A two-dimensional representation of a navigation funnel is displayed. The display may increase situational awareness by use of color to indicate preferred positions in the navigation funnel. | 08-12-2010 |
| 20100204911 | TRAVEL TRACE GENERATION METHOD AND TRAVEL TRACE GENERATION DEVICE - A first convergent computation section | 08-12-2010 |
| 20100204912 | METHOD FOR GENERATING A DIGITAL ROAD MAP, NAVIGATION SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPERATING A NAVIGATION SYSTEM - The present invention pertains to a method for generating a digital roadmap that can be stored on an electronic storage medium and in which a geographical area is specified by a multitude of data sets. The present invention further pertains to a navigation system that features a memory on which a digital roadmap of this type is stored and provided for use. Moreover, the present invention pertains to a method for operating a navigation system of the afore-mentioned type with a digital roadmap of the afore-mentioned type. | 08-12-2010 |
| 20100204913 | USING ROUTE NARRATIVE SYMBOLS - Techniques are provided for displaying a route symbol with narrative driving directions. A route symbol for a particular maneuver may be used to represent the road to which the maneuver relates. For example, one type of a route symbol that may be used to represent a road may be an interstate route symbol that has substantially the same appearance (e.g., substantially the same or similar shape, and/or substantially the same coloration) as an interstate route sign used to mark the interstate itself. Another example of a type of a route symbol that represents a road is an highway route symbol that looks substantially the same as a highway route sign used to mark a state highway. A route symbol used for the display of a maneuver also may include route symbols that are related to the type of maneuver, such as the type of a turn, described by the maneuver. | 08-12-2010 |
| 20100211303 | Navigation Device - A navigation device capable of displaying the public transportation service and method thereof are disclosed. The navigation device comprises a navigation module and a map database. The map database is for storing at least one digital map and the frequency of runs and the route forming the at least one public transportation service. The navigation module is for providing a navigation function and displaying the digital map and the route forming the public transportation service on the digital map for indication. The route is displayed by a different color, a different shape of the icon, or a different level of transparency, for the public transportation service having different frequency of runs. | 08-19-2010 |
| 20100211304 | Personalized User Routing and Recommendations - Methods and systems of personalizing navigation for a user on a computer system are generally disclosed. Example methods and systems can be arranged for evaluating user observation data received from a navigation device remote from the computer system over a network includes receiving, at the computer system, the user observation data and a route request associated with the user. A user identity associated with the route request can be determined based at least in part on the received user observation data. One or more preferences can be evaluated to select a specific preference associated with the user identity. A route can be compiled, on a processing module, based at least in part on the specific preference. The compiled route can be provided over the network to the navigation device. | 08-19-2010 |
| 20100211305 | Guide route distribution device and guide route distribution method - A guide route distribution device includes a reception unit which receives information indicating a start point, information indicating a destination, map data generation information, and route search program generation information from an on-vehicle terminal, a storage unit, a first route search unit which searches for a first route, a second route search unit which searches for a second route, a comparison determination unit which compares the first route and the second route and determines whether a predetermined guide route update condition is satisfied, and a transmission unit which transmits the second route to the on-vehicle terminal only when the guide route update condition is satisfied. | 08-19-2010 |
| 20100211306 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MAINTAINING SPATIO-TEMPORAL DATA - A system and method for maintaining spatio-temporal data for a given area (e.g., an airspace) containing a given node (e.g., an aircraft) and one or more other nodes (e.g., aircraft). The given aircraft may break the given airspace into a first plurality of smaller airspaces, and may also break the given airspace into a second plurality of smaller airspaces. The given aircraft may then detect local spatio-temporal data for each smaller airspace located within its detectable range. The aircraft may also receive remote spatio-temporal data for the smaller airspaces from the one or more other aircraft. Thereafter, the aircraft may update stored spatio-temporal data based on the aircraft's navigation data, the local spatio-temporal data, the remote spatio-temporal data, and/or a reliability of the data. Further, the aircraft may transmit the stored spatio-temporal data for receipt by the one or more other aircraft. | 08-19-2010 |
| 20100217511 | Method for Coding Traffic Interruptions and Calculating a Route - A method for coding interruptions along a route, on the basis of a digital map, items of information about interruptions in the direction along the route being taken into account and transmitted to the navigation system, wherein coded items of information about the existence or non-existence of interruptions on side roads or in intersections along the route are additionally transmitted. A method for dynamic route calculation in which coded items of information about the existence or non-existence of interruptions on side roads or in intersections along the direction of the coded route are transmitted and utilized for calculating a route. | 08-26-2010 |
| 20100217512 | Method and apparatus for detecting and correcting freeway-ramp-freeway situation in calculated route - A method detects a particular freeway-ramp-freeway situation in a calculated route and corrects the route by replacing the freeway-ramp-freeway situation with all-freeway segments. The method includes the steps of: establishing a calculated route to a destination; examining the calculated route to detect whether there is a first point where the calculated route exits a freeway and a second point where the calculated route enters a freeway; evaluating map data to determine whether the freeway exited and the freeway entered are the same freeway; and replacing road segments of the calculated route between the first point and the second point constituting the freeway-ramp-freeway situation with freeway segments between the first point and the second point, thereby avoiding the freeway-ramp-freeway situation. | 08-26-2010 |
| 20100217513 | Navigation Apparatus and Route Search Method - A navigation apparatus and route search method by which a roundabout route is avoided even if there is a segment with a regulation such as “no left turn” or “no entrance” are disclosed. | 08-26-2010 |
| 20100217514 | PRESENTING A TRAVEL ROUTE - Techniques are provided for presenting a route using a route presentation that provides both a context map and one or more detail route maps. Narrative instructions for the route also may be presented. The presentation of the context map and the one or more detail route maps may be interactive. The route presentation also may be user controllable such that a user may control the portions of a route that are printed. The route presentation also may include a re-routing feature that allows a user to request that a new route be identified that avoids a particular maneuver or maneuvers in a route. | 08-26-2010 |
| 20100222995 | Link promotion method and apparatus for improving route search performance for navigation system - A method and apparatus for link promotion for a navigation system allows expansion of search in a lower layer to determine an optimum climbing point to an upper layer to search an optimum route. The link promotion procedure includes the steps of determining whether an upper link exists for a lower link, setting the upper link as a promoted link if such an upper link exists even if a climbing node point does not exist that connect the lower link and the upper link, and comparing a candidate normal route and a promoted route to find an optimum route. | 09-02-2010 |
| 20100222996 | Dual Representation of an Address in a Database - A data representation for an address is disclosed. The address is represented by two links. The first link is an addressed link and the second link is a routing link. The addressed link is the link associated with the address. The routing link is the link associated with a travel-to location for the address. The address may also be represented by two points. The first point is a display point and the second point is a routing point. The display point is used for displaying an address location on a map display. The routing point is used for routing a user of a navigation device to the appropriate point on a road network or pedestrian pathway for the address location. | 09-02-2010 |
| 20100222997 | ROAD SELECTION METHOD - A road selection method is provided, whereby obstructed routes are avoided. First, an off road point is input on a map. Based on the off road point, an on road point is selected, having a shortest straight line distance from the off road point where no obstacle lies therebetween. Thereafter, route planning is performed based on the on road point. When defining the map, the obstacles may comprise rivers, buildings and un-traversable objects on the map. | 09-02-2010 |
| 20100222998 | MICRO-MECHANICAL SENSOR OF ANGULAR VELOCITY - The invention presents a micro-mechanical resonator, comprising two masses coupled in the direction of a common axis by a spring structure such, that the spring structure comprises a spring that couples at least a first bar connected to the masses and a second bar extending in the motion axis direction, said spring being arranged to bend in a direction perpendicular to the motion direction of the motion axis. The invention also relates to a micro-mechanical resonator matrix, a sensor and a navigation device. | 09-02-2010 |
| 20100222999 | Method of Collecting Information for a Geographic Database for Use with a Navigation System - A method for operating a navigation system computes a pedestrian route for travel by a pedestrian. A request to calculate the pedestrian route from an origin to a destination and a walking preference for the pedestrian route identifying a feature of the pedestrian route are obtained. A geographic database associated with the navigation system is accessed for data representing at least one pedestrian path. The data representing the pedestrian path includes lighting level attribute information for the pedestrian path. A valid solution pedestrian route from the origin to the destination comprising a series of connected pedestrian paths that support the walking preference is determined. | 09-02-2010 |
| 20100228469 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR OVERLAYING LANDMARK INFORMATION ON A GEOCODED GRAPHIC - A method for generating enhanced map data includes generating a geocoded graphic of an area using a map portal, the graphic including a recommended route, and then transforming landmark data including traffic control device information for the route into representative icons. The icons are overlaid onto the route to form at least part of the enhanced map data, which is displayed on a computer display. A data server in communication with at least one information source and a computer device having a display screen includes a central processing unit (CPU) and an algorithm executable by the CPU. Execution of the algorithm generates the enhanced map data using information from the information source, and automatically displays the enhanced map graphic on the display screen of the computer device. The icons can also be embedded within text-based driving directions that are generated as another part of the enhanced map data. | 09-09-2010 |
| 20100228470 | In-vehicle apparatus and map data updating system - 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. | 09-09-2010 |
| 20100228471 | NAVIGATION SYSTEM AND ROUTE SEARCH METHOD - When a destination is set, a CPU transmits to an information distribution center average vehicle speed information and so on together with a request command requesting for statistical traffic information. On the other hand, a CPU selects statistical traffic information per vehicle speed region of a predetermined vehicle speed region for each secondary mesh to thereby search for a basic route to the destination. Subsequently, the CPU identifies a vehicle speed region for each road type from the average vehicle speed information and a vehicle speed region determination table, selects for each mesh ID of all the secondary meshes through which the basic route passes the statistical traffic information per vehicle speed region corresponding to the vehicle speed region identified for each road type from the statistical traffic information per vehicle speed region classified by road types, and distributes it to a navigation device. | 09-09-2010 |
| 20100235077 | Historical data based navigational routing - Navigational routing is generated incorporating an estimation of future traffic conditions. The future traffic conditions are estimated based on historical traffic data, e.g., obtained over a recent period of time. The system provides navigational routing based on historical traffic data incorporated into a calculated route of travel. The historical data is used to calculate a probability that given roads along the route will be problematic at a certain time of the day, i.e., at the time, day of week, and place that you would be expected to be traveling on that certain road. Accordingly, historical traffic data is used to help determine a best route based on the probability of certain roads being problematic at a certain time of day. | 09-16-2010 |
| 20100235078 | DRIVING DIRECTIONS WITH MAPS AND VIDEOS - The illustration may have a separate display window that displays illustrations which may be moving illustration related to the current spot on the map or to future spots on the map. The illustration may be viewed while traveling or may be viewed in advance. The moving illustration may display segments of the travel path with points of interest and substantial changes at a slow speed and/or low altitude and may display segments without points of interest and/or few substantial changes at a high speed and or high altitude. | 09-16-2010 |
| 20100235079 | Navigation apparatus - A navigation apparatus for a vehicle is disclosed. The navigation apparatus includes a map data storage section storing therein road map data; a guidance route retrieval section configured to retrieve a guidance route between a departure point and a destination point based on the road map data; and a navigation route setting section configured to set a navigation route for use in route guidance based on the retrieved guidance route. When the destination point is set to a facility having multiple places for arrival, the guidance route retrieval section retrieves multiple guidance routes from the departure point to the multiple places for arrival. When the multiple guidance routes include one guidance route that does not require the vehicle to make a U-turn on a road around the facility, the navigation route is set to the one guidance route. | 09-16-2010 |
| 20100235080 | CAMERA-BASED NAVIGATION SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ITS OPERATION - A navigation system for motor vehicles includes at least one display device for a pictorial representation of the vehicle surroundings, at least one data memory containing data that allow for a three-dimensional reconstruction of the vehicle surroundings, at least one camera capable of recording digital images of the vehicle surroundings, and at least one data processing unit, which is capable of generating a reconstruction of the vehicle surroundings representable on the display device from the data contained in the data memory, and which is capable of performing an at least partial integration of the digital images recorded by the camera into the reconstruction of the vehicle surroundings, which reconstruction is based on the data contained in the data memory. | 09-16-2010 |
| 20100235081 | Navigation Device and Traffic Line Display Method - A navigation device and a traffic line display method which make a user reliably recognize the relationships between traffic lines and roads when the traffic lines are displayed so as to correspond to the roads which are positioned near one another in a concentrated manner or connected to one another are provided. When the roads currently displayed include roads which belong to a certain road type and which are positioned near one another within a predetermined distance or connected to one another and when at least one of the roads has heavy traffic, the vicinity/connection roads positioned near one another within a predetermined distance or connected to one another and the corresponding traffic lines are clearly distinguished from one another by displaying the roads and the corresponding traffic lines so as to be visually separate from one another. Accordingly, the relationships between the traffic lines and roads are reliably recognized. | 09-16-2010 |
| 20100250108 | Method, apparatus, computer program and user interface - A method, apparatus, computer program and user interface wherein the method includes: obtaining coordinate information from a first application where the coordinate information uniquely identifies an address as a location in a coordinate space; storing, using a second application, the coordinate information so that the coordinate information is associated with contact information indicative of the address; detecting user selection of a control element associated with the stored contact information; and in response to the detection of the user selection of the control element providing the coordinate information to the first application. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100250109 | BUSINESS DATA DISPLAY AND POSITION CORRECTION IN STREET-SIDE IMAGERY - A separate panel may be used to display business icons near images of business entries, if the GIS does not include a business's front door geolocation. Users may place icons that represent business entities near the entrances to the entity. Also, a concise but extensive display of business listing data (e.g., reviews, summaries, services, hours, etc.) in the display near the geolocation and the presentation of further information upon user actions such as a mouse-overs, may avoid browsing away from the viewing application in order to learn more about the business. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100250110 | SELECTION ITEM DISPLAY DEVICE, SELECTION ITEM DISPLAY METHOD, SELECTION ITEM DISPLAY PROGRAM, AND RECORDING MEDIUM IN WHICH SELECTION ITEM DISPLAY PROGRAM IS RECORDED - A selection item display device allows the user to select a desired selection item in the case where a surrounding situation changes, with improved operability. The device includes: storage element for storing a selection item; retrieval element for retrieving a selection item to be displayed based on a surrounding situation from the storage element; generation element for generating an image of the retrieved selection item; display element for displaying the generated image of the selection item on a display screen; designation element for designating a selection item to be maintained from the displayed selection item; and holding element for holding the designated selection item. Even if the surrounding situation changes, and the retrieval element changes the selection item to be displayed, the generation element leaves the image of the selection item to be maintained on the basis of an instruction from the holding element on the display screen. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100250111 | EMERGENCY AND TRAFFIC ALERT SYSTEM - Systems and methods are disclosed for providing event notification to navigational applications. More specifically, the disclosed systems and methods provide emergency and non-emergency event information to users such that the event information is displayed to the user of a navigation application. For example, the location of an emergency event, such as a car accident or a fire is displayed on a personal navigation device. Furthermore, the real-time location of emergency vehicles responding to the event can be displayed on the navigation application. This provides additional information to drivers to help avoid traffic situations and clear the route for emergency vehicles. The disclosed systems and methods may also be employed to provide non-emergency information to users, such as parade or marathon information and routes, snow routes, evacuation routes, and traffic signal outages. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100250112 | NAVIGATION DEVICE - If a destination set on a display | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100262359 | Route search method and apparatus for navigation system utilizing map data of XML format - A route search method for a navigation system using the XML map data that is layered based on administrative regions improves efficiency and accuracy of finding an optimum route. The method includes the steps of establishing boundary nodes on boundaries of administrative regions, creating cost information on virtual links that connect the boundary nodes on the administrative regions and physical links on a base layer, selecting candidate virtual links regions by evaluating the cost information, detecting candidate total routes between the start point and destination by connecting the candidate virtual links and other routes, and applying physical links in the base layer to the candidate total routes for further evaluating the costs of the total routes to select the most cost effective total route. | 10-14-2010 |
| 20100262360 | METHOD OF SHARING POSITION INFORMATION IN PERSONAL NAVIGATION DEVICES - A method of sharing position information of a personal navigation device (PND) with a peer PND includes the PND receiving a request from the peer PND to share the position information with the peer PND, determining a class of the peer PND, the PND filtering out a piece of the position information from the PND thereof according to the class of the peer PND to generate a filtered position information, and the PND sending the filtered position information to the peer PND. | 10-14-2010 |
| 20100268447 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR JOURNEY PLANNING, FINDING K SHORTEST PATHS THROUGH A TIME/SPACE NETWORK - A method and apparatus for selecting a path defining a journey through a time-tabled transportation network comprises determining forming a data set comprising a sequence of K shortest paths through the transportation network from an origin location “o” to a destination location “d”, each path with an increasing cost; and selecting a path from the K shortest paths based upon a filter criteria which may be one not used in the determination of the K shortest paths. The network comprises a public transportation network. The filter criteria not used in the determination of the K shortest paths may be one that does not obey the principal of optimality. The determining step is performed utilizing an algorithm that filters the available paths through the network according to a selected filter criteria plus a selected buffer amount Δ of the filter criteria. The selecting step utilizes only the rankings of the K shortest paths. | 10-21-2010 |
| 20100274469 | NAVIGATION DEVICE AND DATA UPDATE SYSTEM - 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. | 10-28-2010 |
| 20100274470 | Health information guiding system and method thereof - This specification discloses a health information guiding system and the method thereof. By analyzing the user's position information and health data, the invention selects a target location to provide the user with related health and address information. The user is thus able to obtain more complete health information. This increases the value of immediately using the health information. | 10-28-2010 |
| 20100274471 | ROUTE REPORTING METHOD, SYSTEM AND RECORDING MEDIUM USING THE SAME - A route reporting method, system, and a recording medium using the same are provided. The present method detects a touch and draws a path according to a moving trajectory of the touch. When the touch is finished, a dialog block is displayed to insert route mark information in the drawn path. The aforesaid steps are repeated to draw a plurality of paths. When an end signal is received, those paths are assembled to form a complete route map, which is provided for users to search for routes. | 10-28-2010 |
| 20100274472 | NAVIGATION DEVICE AND MAP DATA UPDATING METHOD THEREOF - When updating means | 10-28-2010 |
| 20100274473 | DRIVING ASSISTANCE APPARATUS, DRIVING ASSISTANCE METHOD, AND DRIVING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM - A method and apparatus for providing driver assistance are provided. The apparatus includes a road recognition unit, an eligibility acquisition unit, an other vehicle recognition unit, an other vehicle eligibility acquisition unit and a guidance unit. The road recognition unit determines if a host vehicle is traveling on a restricted road having a lane with travel eligibility restrictions. The eligibility acquisition unit obtains information regarding travel eligibility of the lanes on the restricted road. The other vehicle recognition unit determines if the other vehicle is traveling in an adjacent lane and the other vehicle eligibility acquisition unit obtains travel eligibility information of the other vehicle. Based on the travel eligibility of the other vehicle, the other vehicle traveling lane or the host vehicle traveling lane, the guidance unit determines whether to provide guidance information. | 10-28-2010 |
| 20100274474 | VEHICLE PARKING ASSIST SYSTEM AND METHOD - Upon a driver of a vehicle setting a target parking position, a parking assist system calculates a recommended parking start position which the vehicle can reach with a current steering angle of the vehicle unchanged and from which the vehicle can reach the parking target position with a constant steering angle. The parking assist system then draws a parking start frame figure F | 10-28-2010 |
| 20100280746 | NAVIGATION ASSEMBLY, A FOLDABLE MOUNT AND A NAVIGATION ASSEMBLY INCLUDING SUCH A MOUNT - A portable navigation assembly is disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the portable navigation assembly includes a portable navigation device including a housing, the housing including a speaker port defined by a speaker port periphery; and a mount including a connector arm. In at least one embodiment, the connector arm is adapted to be connected to the portable navigation device around at least a portion of the speaker port periphery without covering at least a portion of the speaker port. | 11-04-2010 |
| 20100280747 | NAVIGATION DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DISPLAYING MAP INFORMATION - Methods and devices are disclosed for providing map information to a user. The map information corresponds to a field of view. In at least one embodiment, the navigation device includes an input device to receive an input for selecting a desired destination and a display device to display map information including a route to the desired destination, a ground level and at least one icon elevated above the ground level. The at least one icon represents an object within the field of view. In at least one embodiment, a method is disclosed for providing map information to a user via a navigation device and corresponding to a field of view is disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the method includes receiving at least one of an input and selection representing a desired destination and displaying map information including a route to the desired destination, a ground level and at least one icon elevated above the ground level. The at least one icon represents an object within the field of view. | 11-04-2010 |
| 20100280748 | OPTIMIZED ROUTE PLANNING AND PERSONALIZED REAL-TIME LOCATION-BASED TRAVEL MANAGEMENT - A method for optimized route planning for a user, including:
| 11-04-2010 |
| 20100286901 | Navigation device and method relating to an audible recognition mode - A method and device are disclosed for navigation. In at least one embodiment, the method includes receiving an indication of enablement of an audible recognition mode in a navigation device; determining, subsequent to receiving an indication of enablement of the audible recognition mode and subsequent to receiving an audible input, at least one choice relating to address information of a travel destination based upon the received audible input; audibly outputting at least one determined choice relating to address information of a travel destination; and acknowledging selection of the audibly output at least one determined choice upon receiving an affirmative audible input. In at least one embodiment, the navigation device includes a processor to receive an indication of enablement of an audible recognition mode in a navigation device and to determine, subsequent to receiving an audible input, at least one choice relating to address information of a travel destination based upon the received audible input; and an output device to audibly output at least one determined choice relating to address information of a travel destination, the processor being further useable to acknowledge selection of the audibly output at least one determined choice upon receiving an affirmative audible input. | 11-11-2010 |
| 20100286902 | NAVIGATION ROUTE DETERMINING METHOD AND RELATED APPARATUS - A navigation route determining method for planning a target navigation route from a specific start point to a specific end point, includes: determining a plurality of candidate navigation routes, wherein each of the candidate navigation routes is from the specific start point to the specific end point; estimating a plurality of expenses corresponding to the plurality of candidate navigation routes, respectively; and selecting one of the plurality of candidate navigation routes as the target navigation route according the plurality of expenses. | 11-11-2010 |
| 20100286903 | METHOD FOR OPERATING A NAVIGATION SYSTEM - 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. | 11-11-2010 |
| 20100286904 | DEVICE ASSEMBLY FOR PERFORMING A DRIVER ASSISTANCE FUNCTION - A device assembly for performing a driver assistance function includes a mobile terminal, and a holder removably installed in the vehicle for temporarily receiving the mobile terminal. At least one image recording device is connected to the holder and, to support the performance of the driver assistance function, is connectable to the mobile terminal via an image signal line and at least one first electrical interface situated in the holder when the holder receives the mobile terminal for performing the driver assistance function. | 11-11-2010 |
| 20100286905 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR FILTERING POTENTIALLY UNRELIABLE VISUAL DATA FOR VISUAL SIMULTANEOUS LOCALIZATION AND MAPPING - The invention is related to methods and apparatus that use a visual sensor and dead reckoning sensors to process Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM). These techniques can be used in robot navigation. Advantageously, such visual techniques can be used to autonomously generate and update a map. Unlike with laser rangefinders, the visual techniques are economically practical in a wide range of applications and can be used in relatively dynamic environments, such as environments in which people move. One embodiment further advantageously uses multiple particles to maintain multiple hypotheses with respect to localization and mapping. Further advantageously, one embodiment maintains the particles in a relatively computationally-efficient manner, thereby permitting the SLAM processes to be performed in software using relatively inexpensive microprocessor-based computer systems. | 11-11-2010 |
| 20100292913 | Storage medium for map data, method for generating maps, and navigation device - A storage medium on which geographic data of a geographic region are stored together as map units, a corresponding method for generating a map from the geographic data, and a corresponding navigation device. In order to reduce the amount of data to be processed, the map units are structured hierarchically, map units of an n | 11-18-2010 |
| 20100292914 | METHOD AND APPARATUS OF ROUTE DETERMINATION - An approach is provided for off-road navigation. A starting point and a destination point to assist a user in navigating are received. A path from the starting point to the destination point using a vector function that represents cost of each area along the path is determined. The cost is based on direction from where the corresponding area is entered by the user. | 11-18-2010 |
| 20100292915 | CAR NAVIGATION SYSTEM - A car navigation system includes a distance sensor | 11-18-2010 |
| 20100299055 | METHOD AND MACHINE FOR GENERATING MAP DATA AND A METHOD AND NAVIGATION DEVICE FOR DETERMING A ROUTE USING MAP DATA - A method of processing speed data is disclosed for use in the provision of enhanced map data including a plurality of navigable segments which together may define a navigable route in an area covered by a digital map. In at least one embodiment, the method includes (i) obtaining the speed data for at least one segment, the speed data including the measured speed of travel of a plurality of vehicles through the segment at different times; (ii) generating from the speed data for the at least one segment, data on at least one normal speed profile including an average speed of travel through the segment for a time recurring weekly; (iii) for at least one specified time, generating for the at least one segment data on at least one abnormal speed profile including an expected speed of travel through the segment during the specified time, the specified time being a time that does not occur weekly; and (iv) assigning to the at least one segment of the map data the corresponding normal speed profile and the abnormal speed profile for use by a navigation device in routing algorithms to determine a journey across the area. | 11-25-2010 |
| 20100299056 | METHOD FOR DETERMINING A ROUTE AND DEVICE THEREFOR - A method for determining a route from a starting point to a destination includes optimizing the route with regard to a mixture of two criteria to minimize the energy consumption, a first criterion being the length of the route, and a second criterion represents a number of acceleration operations along the route. | 11-25-2010 |
| 20100299057 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR VERIFYING ROUTE IN ROUTE VERIFICATION SYSTEM - In a route verification method for verifying a route that allows arrival at a destination in a shortest time, a server obtains, via a network, route information including a starting point and destination of a vehicle having a car navigation device, calculates a route with a shortest required time from the starting point to the destination based on the route information obtained from a plurality of vehicles, and transmits route information with the shortest required time to a terminal device, and the terminal device displays on a display the route with the shortest required time and a route on which the target vehicle runs from the starting point to the destination, wherein the route with the shortest required time is calculated using a link travel time, in the time to be expected that the target vehicle runs, included in the route information obtained from the plurality of vehicles. | 11-25-2010 |
| 20100299058 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING TRAVEL TIME INFORMATION - Location technologies are combined with other information systems to provide augmented information for individuals such as a traveler in an automobile. | 11-25-2010 |
| 20100318287 | System and Method for Supplying Real-Time Road Construction Information for Vehicle Trip Planning Systems - A business system that allows vehicle telematics and other trip planning systems to be updated with latest road construction information. This information can be periodically downloaded to the trip planning system in order to factor in possible road construction delays into trip planning. The information can be gathered by direct observation or by periodic reports from governmental agencies. A subscription fee could be charged for this service. | 12-16-2010 |
| 20100324809 | POWER SUPPLY CONTROL APPARATUS OF NAVIGATION SYSTEM - A power supply control apparatus of a navigation system includes a power switch for a user to turn a display screen of the navigation system on or off; a navigation power switching unit to turn an internal function of the navigation system on or off by a power supply connection; a navigation information unnecessary state detecting unit to detect a navigation information unnecessary state where a user does not need navigation information; | 12-23-2010 |
| 20100332114 | NAVIGATION SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GUIDING SPEED LIMITING INFORMATION BY BLOCK - A navigation system and method for providing notification of speed limit information for each block is provided. The method includes: maintaining a database which stores a start point and an end point of a speed limited block, and a speed limit for each block; sensing whether a speed limited block exists in a front area while driving on a predetermined route; and providing a speeding alert notification within the determined speed limited block when the speed limited block is sensed. | 12-30-2010 |
| 20100332115 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INTERACTIVE ROUTING AND SCHEDULING SYSTEM - The system provides a method and apparatus for scheduling and routing. The system provides a database of locations, paths, and estimated time limits for a plurality of locations at a destination. A visitor provides input as to desired locations as well as a time limit for the overall visit. The system also includes information about weather, total expected visitors, visitors who have selected certain locations, start time of visit, and other factors that may affect traffic flow and accessibility of locations by visitors. Using this data, the system provides a schedule and a route for the visitor designed to satisfy the visitors desire to visit certain locations within a certain time frame. | 12-30-2010 |
| 20110004399 | Geocoding Locations Near A Specified City - Specified streets or intersections that are within a specified distance of a specified city can be found by a search, even when they are not actually in that city. For computational efficiency, some addresses are included in search results even when they exceed the specified distance from the specified city by a small amount (“false positives”). The search method guarantees that no instance of the street name within the specified distance of the specified city is erroneously missed (“false negatives”). | 01-06-2011 |
| 20110010082 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ROUTE-BASED SCROLLING OF A NAVIGATIONAL MAP - Methods and systems are provided for indicating the relationship of a displayed area on a map with respect to a route or flight plan. A method comprises displaying a navigational map on a display device and displaying a graphical adjustment element on the display device. The position of the graphical adjustment element on the display device corresponds to the along track distance between the displayed area of the navigational map and a first navigational reference point of a route comprising the first navigational reference point and a second navigational reference point. | 01-13-2011 |
| 20110010083 | PATH SEARCH METHOD - 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. | 01-13-2011 |
| 20110015853 | SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING TRAFFIC INFORMATION - A system for providing traffic information to a plurality of mobile users connected to a network. The system comprises a plurality of traffic monitors, each comprising at least a traffic detector and a transmitter, the traffic detector generating a signal in response to vehicular traffic and the transmitter transmitting the signal. A receiver receives the signals from the traffic monitors. A computer system is connected to the receiver and is further connected to the network. The computer system in response to a request signal received from one of the users transmits in response thereto information representative of the signals transmitted by the traffic monitoring units. Alternative systems for gathering traffic information are disclosed. | 01-20-2011 |
| 20110022292 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR IMPROVING SPEECH RECOGNITION ACCURACY BY USE OF GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION - A method for speech recognition includes providing a source of geographical information within a vehicle. The geographical information pertains to a current location of the vehicle, a planned travel route of the vehicle, a map displayed within the vehicle, and/or a gesture marked by a user on a map. Words spoken within the vehicle are recognized by use of a speech recognition module. The recognizing is dependent upon the geographical information. | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110022293 | Method of Locating and Managing Elements in the Built Environment - A method and system for locating an element from one or elements in a built environment is provided. The element can be located during one of a built phase, a partially built phase and an under-construction phase of the built environment. The method includes assigning a unique ID corresponding to each of the one or elements of the built environment. Thereafter, the method includes positioning the one or elements by linking the unique ID to one or more location attributes corresponding to each of the one or more elements. Further, the method includes extracting one or location attributes of an element to be located in the built environment. Finally, the method includes locating the element on a digital representation of the built environment. Further, the data corresponding to the one or more elements can be managed. | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110022294 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR DISPLAYING CUSTOMIZED ICONS - A method (and system for practicing the method) for processing and reporting a characteristic of a resource for a domain (e.g., weather forecast for a flight route). A request is sent to a server for customized data for the resource, preferably containing at least a unique application identifier. Customized data is received from the server, wherein said data contain a plurality of customized conditional result values of characteristics of the resource at a multiplicity of domain values, generated using values of the characteristics of the resource at various domain values and conditionals specific to the application identifier. A graphical chart (often in the form of a circle or spiral) is displayed based on the received customized data, wherein the location of the graphical chart on the display device corresponds to said resource, and furthermore wherein the colors of the chart at each of a plurality of points upon the chart are each determined based on the customized conditional result value of the characteristics of the resource for a domain value (e.g., time), said domain value corresponding to the rotational angle of said point upon the chart. | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110022295 | METHOD FOR SIMULATING NAVIGATION ROUTE, NAVIGATION APPARATUS AND RECORDING MEDIUM - A method for simulating a navigation route, a navigation apparatus, and a recording medium are provided. In the method, a navigation route is planned and displayed on an electronic map. When a route simulation mode is entered, an effect of a navigation icon moving along the navigation route starting from a certain spot in the navigation route is generated. When moving on a straight path of the navigation route, the navigation icon is moved in a first speed. When moving on a turning point of the navigation route, the navigation icon is moved in a second speed, in which the second speed is smaller than the first speed. | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110022296 | ICOSAHDERAL MODIFIED GENERALIZED BALANCED TERNARY AND APERTURE 3 HEXAGON TREE - A method for assigning path address-form location codes to objects represented using aperture 3 hexagon discrete global grid systems in both vector systems and bucket and raster systems in which hexagons in a first resolution are given a linear code and hexagons in subsequent finer resolutions have identifiers added to the linear code, the method iteratively applying the assigning step to further finer resolutions to a maximum resolution. In vector systems each hexagon has seven hexagons in a finer resolution and in raster and bucket systems each hexagon is assigned to be an open or closed generator class, an open generator creating a closed generator in a finer resolution, and a closed generator generating six open generator hexagons and a seventh closed generator hexagon. | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110022297 | Apparatus and method for a mobile navigation computer - The present invention provides an apparatus and method for a robust and configurable mobile computer architecture with navigation computational capabilities. The present invention further provides a bus network which allows for an efficient and durable Input/Output (I/O) management system. The I/O management system has configurable connections to allow for modular addition, expansion, or replacement of navigation, crash detection, and communication line replacement units (LRUs). Additional I/O device connections allow several modes of input into the computational system. The present invention is a single, self-contained unit and provides an accessible user interface to the computer system. | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110022298 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MODIFYING A DRIVE PLAN OF A VEHICLE TOWARDS A DESTINATION - A method and system for modifying a drive plan, especially a drive/rest schedule of such a plan, of a vehicle before and/or during a drive towards a desired destination is provided in which (a) a development of the alertness level of a driver is predicted, (b) points in time are determined and classified as high risk instances, where the predicted development becomes equal to or smaller than a predetermined threshold level, (c) the high risk instances are compared with the drive plan or drive/rest schedule and it is determined whether any high risk instance will occur before the destination or a next planned stop or rest is reached and (d | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110029226 | INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY FOR FINDING A LOCATION BASED ON AN IMAGE AT ANOTHER LOCATION - A computer system displays an image of a first geographic location by a computer system, receives a user selection of a portion of the image of the first geographic location, processes the user-selected image portion to identify a meaning for the user-selected image portion, computes a logical connection between the computer system identified meaning and a second geographic location, and directs the user to the second geographic location. Computing the logical connection may include finding a match between a significance of the second geographic location and the meaning identified for the user-selected image portion. Receiving a user selection of an image portion may include receiving a user selection identifying an ad within the image and wherein the processing to identify a meaning for the user-selected image portion includes identifying a meaning for the ad. | 02-03-2011 |
| 20110029227 | NAVIGATION DEVICE AND METHOD FOR EMPHASISING A MAP ROUTE - A method, a device and a computer readable medium are disclosed for navigation. The method includes determining map information for display on an integrated input and display device of a navigation device, based upon a determined route of travel of the navigation device; and differentiating at least a portion of the map information within a threshold distance of the determined route of travel, from other map information, to thereby emphasize the determined route of travel. The navigation device includes a processor to determine map information for subsequent display, based upon a determined route of travel of the navigation device, the processor further being useable to control display of at least a portion of the map information, determined to be within a threshold distance of the determined route of travel, in a manner differentiated from display of other map information, to thereby emphasize the determined route of travel. | 02-03-2011 |
| 20110029228 | Map information delivery system, method, and program - A map information delivery system, including a navigation apparatus, is capable of preferentially receiving map updating information based on a host vehicle's state. The updating information may be preferentially received based on whether a destination has been set, a location of the updating information relative to an updating position or a destination, and/or the size of the updating information. | 02-03-2011 |
| 20110035142 | NAVIGATION SYSTEM WITH SINGLE INITIATION MECHANISM AND METHOD OF OPERATION THEREOF - A method of operation of a navigation system includes: receiving a single selection for a desired item; generating a destination for the desired item with a prioritization and a learned knowledge of a user's behavior for improving an accuracy of the destination that is generated; and calculating a route to the destination based solely on the single selection for reducing danger from distraction by entering multiple entries and for displaying the route on a device and the single selection is an only entry before displaying the route. | 02-10-2011 |
| 20110035143 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TRIP PLANNING AND RECORDING MEDIUM - A method and an apparatus for trip planning and a recording medium are provided. The method is suitable for a mobile device having a touch screen. In the method, a trip plan panel comprising a plurality of waypoint blocks arranged according to an arrangement sequence is displayed on the touch screen. Then, a touch operation of dragging executed between a point of interest (POI) and the trip plan panel is received, so as to input the POI in one of the waypoint blocks. Finally, according to the arrangement sequence of the waypoint blocks, a path between the POIs in the way point blocks is planned. | 02-10-2011 |
| 20110035144 | NAVIGATION APPARATUS AND OPERATION PART DISPLAY METHOD - A navigation apparatus which accepts an operation of an operation button displayed on a display part, the navigation apparatus including: a vehicle operation detector detecting a vehicle operation when the vehicle travels; a driver characteristics learning mechanism learning driver characteristics of a driver based on the driver operation information; and a display manner changing mechanism changing a display manner of the operation button according to a learning result of the driver characteristics learning mechanism. | 02-10-2011 |
| 20110035145 | NAVIGATION DEVICE - When setting a spot by designating a desired position on a map displayed on a display unit, a spot setting menu picture is displayed in the vicinity of the designated position, thereby improving the visibility of a positional relation to improve operability. A navigation device ( | 02-10-2011 |
| 20110040478 | NAVIGATION UPDATE SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE - A navigation update system includes a key of a vehicle. The key includes a memory storage device storing data for a navigation device of the vehicle. The data includes instructions for execution by the navigation device and/or map data for use by the navigation device to provide navigation services to a user of the vehicle. | 02-17-2011 |
| 20110046870 | SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING INFORMATION TO AN OPERATOR OF A VEHICLE - Methods and apparatus are provided for a system that provides information to an operator of a vehicle. The system includes, but is not limited to a call center that configured to provide the operator with route guidance to a location. The system also includes a plurality of internet websites. Each internet website relates to a vehicle lifecycle event and is configured to permit the operator to electronically transmit a location associated with the vehicle lifecycle event to the call center. | 02-24-2011 |
| 20110046871 | ON-VEHICLE DEVICE - An on-vehicle device with a storage unit that includes a transfer unit that transfers data stored in the storage unit to another on-vehicle device of equal capability that is also equipped with a storage unit. In the on-vehicle device, the transfer unit is configured by a data transfer jack provided to each of the on-vehicle device and the another on-vehicle device, and a data transfer cable for connecting the transfer jacks. | 02-24-2011 |
| 20110046872 | Route Calculation Method for a Vehicle Navigation System - Traffic information, including flow information and incident information, obtained through a traffic management system for providing and facilitating the exchange of traffic information between a remote location and a vehicle may be used in route calculation by a navigation device. The navigation device may recalculate a route based on anticipated user error. Alternatively, the navigation device may recalculate a route using received traffic information triggered by the receipt of a traffic information update, or triggered by the passage of an amount of time. The broadcast rate of traffic information updates may vary temporally (providing more frequent updates during peak commute times) or geographically (providing more frequent updates to metropolitan areas with increased traffic information needs). If route calculation is triggered by an elapsed amount of time, the amount of time may vary to be shorter during peak commute times. Additional route calculation techniques allow the incorporation of historical traffic information or the use of the most recent traffic information if incomplete traffic information is available. Still further route calculation techniques may calculate a best route by avoiding zigzagging or evaluating an assigned cost of a potential route. | 02-24-2011 |
| 20110046873 | SIGNALIZED INTERSECTION INFORMATION ACQUIRING DEVICE, SIGNALIZED INTERSECTION INFORMATION ACQUIRING METHOD, AND SIGNALIZED INTERSECTION INFORMATION ACQUIRING PROGRAM - In order to precisely specify a lighting pattern of an actual traffic signal, traveling direction information indicating a traveling direction of a vehicle at a signalized intersection is acquired from a plurality of vehicles, and the information on the lighting pattern of the traffic signal at the signalized intersection is acquired based on the traveling direction information of the plurality of vehicles. | 02-24-2011 |
| 20110046874 | ASSISTANCE DATA SPECIFICATIONS AND PROTOCOLS FOR NAVIGATION SYSTEMS - Assistance data specifications and protocols for navigation systems in cellular networks and/or other networks. These specifications and protocols do not impact system-specific control plane protocols. According to various embodiments, a bearer and satellite system-independent meta structure may be protected for periodic and/or continuous transfer, e.g., streaming, of assistance data in a network. As a result, the need for the arrangement of multiple individual sub sessions may be reduced or eliminated in various embodiments. | 02-24-2011 |
| 20110046875 | Providing sponsorship information alongside traffic messages - A method and system for providing sponsorship information to a user of a traffic message receiver is disclosed. Sponsorship messages are sent to the traffic message receiver and include data to be stored in the memory of the receiver. The transmission of the sponsorship messages is performed as a background routine to the regular transmission of traffic messages. The sponsorship data stored in the traffic message receiver is provided to the user of the traffic message receiver based on a triggering event, such as the end-user entering a point of interest string into the user interface of his navigation system or receipt of a message that includes an activated trigger flag. | 02-24-2011 |
| 20110054770 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR GENERATING AND COMMUNICATING GEOGRAPHIC ROUTE INFORMATION BETWEEN WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICES - Provided is a method, wireless communication device and computer program product for generation and communication of a geographic route from a first device to a second device. The method involves presenting a reference map using the first device; receiving route input using the first device, said route input indicative of the geographic route relative to the reference map; processing said route input with respect to a reference coordinate system to generate processed route information indicative of the geographic route; and communicating said processed route information to the second device. The method may further involve receiving and processing processed route information, using the second device, the processing performed at least in part based on the reference coordinate system and an output reference map to generate route output indicative of the geographic route relative to the output reference map; and presenting said route output using the second device. | 03-03-2011 |
| 20110054771 | Method of Operating a Navigation System to Provide Route Guidance - A method of operating a navigation system to provide a route guidance message for traveling a route is disclosed. A plurality of features visible from a road segment of the route is obtained from a geographic database associated with the navigation system. An importance rating for each of the identified features is determined. The guidance message references the identified feature having a highest determined importance rating. The importance rating considers a permanence or a seasonal dependency of the identified feature. | 03-03-2011 |
| 20110054772 | Method of Operating a Navigation System to Provide Route Guidance - A method of operating a navigation system to provide a route guidance message for traveling a route is disclosed. A preferred name of a feature visible from a road segment is obtained from a geographic database associated with the navigation system. A guidance message stating the preferred name of the feature visible from the road segment is determined. The preferred name includes at least one visible descriptor selected from a group consisting of a color of the identified feature, a building material of the identified feature, a shape of the identified feature, an architectural style of the identified feature, and a decorative element of the identified feature. | 03-03-2011 |
| 20110054773 | Electronic Blind-Navigation Device and Electronic Blind-Navigation Cane having the same - An exemplary electronic blind-navigation device suitable for being arranged on a carrier includes an information receiving interface, a guiding interface, a direction detecting device and a processing circuit. The direction detecting device is configured for detecting a direction pointed by the carrier to obtain a pointing direction information. The processing circuit is configured for receiving the pointing direction information and a navigation information supplied from a navigation device. The navigation information includes a traveling direction information. The processing circuit is further configured for determining whether two directions supplied by the pointing direction information and the traveling direction information are the same. When the two directions thereof are the same, the processing circuit controls the guiding interface to send out at least one of a touch guiding signal and a voice guiding signal. Furthermore, an electronic blind-navigation cane having the same is also provided. | 03-03-2011 |
| 20110054774 | NAVIGATION DEVICE AND METHOD FOR ALTERING MAP INFORMATION RELATED TO AUDIBLE INFORMATION - Methods and devices are disclosed for providing map information to a user via a portable navigation device. In at least one embodiment, the method includes displaying map information including at least one icon and a route to a desired destination, producing audible information related to the route, and altering the at least one icon for display when the audible information relates to the at least one icon. In at least one embodiment, a navigation device is disclosed for providing map information to a user. The navigation device includes a display device to display map information including at least one icon and a route to a desired destination, an output device to produce audible information related to the route, and a processor to alter the at least one icon for display when the audible information relates to the at least one icon. | 03-03-2011 |
| 20110060519 | NAVIGATION DEVICE AND METHOD OF UPDATING THEREFOR - A navigation device is capable of a first level of operation and a second level of operation. In at least one embodiment, the device includes a processing resource arranged to support, when in use, an operational environment. The device also includes a data store operably coupled to the processing resource and arranged to store updatable data useable by the operational environment. The device further includes a communications network interface for supporting connectivity with a subscription-free communications network. The first level of operation consumes less power than the second level of operation, and the processing resource supports an activation module arranged to cause a transition from the first level of operation to the second level of operation. The processing resource is also arranged to use the communications network interface following the transition to the second level of operation in order to download data. | 03-10-2011 |
| 20110066363 | NAVIGATION APPARATUS, OPERATION CONTROL METHOD, AND MOBILE TERMINAL APPARATUS - A navigation apparatus including a geomagnetic sensor that detects a geomagnetic field of the navigation apparatus, an orientation calculation unit that calculates an orientation of the navigation apparatus based on the detected geomagnetic field, a cradle detection unit that detects that the navigation apparatus is connected to a cradle, and outputs a signal indicating that the navigation apparatus is connected to the cradle, and an operation control unit that receives the signal output from the cradle detection unit, and controls the orientation calculation unit to not detect the orientation of the navigation apparatus based on the detected geomagnetic field. | 03-17-2011 |
| 20110077848 | TRAVELOGUE-BASED TRAVEL ROUTE PLANNING - A location extraction component analyzes a set of travelogues to identify locations mentioned therein. A co-occurrence extraction component computes co-occurrence values for the identified locations. When a request to generate a travel route from a starting location to an ending location is received, suggested locations on or near the travel route are identified through the use of the co-occurrence values. A suggested travel route is then generated that passes through the starting location, the ending location, and the suggested locations. A map may be displayed showing the starting location, the ending location, the suggested locations, and the suggested travel route. | 03-31-2011 |
| 20110077849 | NAVIGATION SYSTEM WITH ORIENTATION MECHANISM AND METHOD OF OPERATION THEREOF - A method of operation of a navigation system includes: calculating a travel route from an origin location to a destination location; and identifying an orientation location along the travel route for assisting in an initial orientation from the origin location for displaying on a device. | 03-31-2011 |
| 20110077850 | NAVIGATION DEVICE, METHOD AND PROGRAM - A navigation device includes a display unit, an operation detection unit, and an operation control unit. The display unit displays a map, at least a facility and a vicinity thereof on the map, and an icon. The operation detection unit detects a movement of the icon by a user. The operation control unit sets, when the map of the vicinity of the facility is displayed on the display unit, a predetermined area around a position of the facility as a lead-in area. The operation control unit also executes, when the icon is moved, a function of the icon with respect to the position of the facility if a post-movement position of the icon detected by the operation detection unit is within the lead-in area. | 03-31-2011 |
| 20110077851 | NAVIGATION DEVICE, METHOD AND PROGRAM - In a navigation device or method, it is determined that an icon is selected by a touch at two points on a screen. It is further determined that the two touched points are moved in opposite directions with reference to the icon at a certain position where the selected icon is moved to. Subsequently, when it is detected that the touch at the two touched points is cancelled (removed), a function associated with the icon is executed with respect to the certain position. | 03-31-2011 |
| 20110082637 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TRAJECTORY DISPLAY - Embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus including a display device for displaying graphical information; a processor arranged to control the display device to display the graphical information; a store for colour mapping information, the information being representative of a relationship between orientation-related information of a trajectory and colour; and a trajectory-colour module for determining orientation-related information of a trajectory and a colour according to the determined information and the colour mapping information. In at least one embodiment, the processor is responsive to the trajectory-colour module to control the display device to display a graphical element at least partly in the determined colour. | 04-07-2011 |
| 20110082638 | ROUTING GRAPHS FOR BUILDINGS - The subject matter disclosed herein relates to systems, methods, etc. for creating a routing graph based at least partly on building information. For certain example implementations, a method includes obtaining building information descriptive of at least a portion of a building structure. A grid of points may be superimposed onto the building information. At least one routing graph may be created based at least in part on the superimposed grid of points and the building information. Other example implementations are also described. | 04-07-2011 |
| 20110087425 | NAVIGATION SYSTEM WITH MAP COMPRESSION AND METHOD OF OPERATION THEREOF - A method of operation of a navigation system includes: preconstructing a multi-layered index based on a plurality of a spatially-aware identification for identifying location data points; selecting a first intersection based on the multi-layered index of the spatially-aware identification; and generating a primary route based on the first intersection for displaying on a device. | 04-14-2011 |
| 20110087426 | NAVIGATION SYSTEM WITH EVENT OF INTEREST ROUTING MECHANISM AND METHOD OF OPERATION THEREOF - A method of operation of a navigation system includes: receiving a start location and a destination location; receiving a first start time associated with a first event; receiving a second start time associated with a second event with the first start time subsequent to the second start time and the first event closer to the start location than the second event; and generating an event route, for displaying on a device, from the start location to the second event to the first event to the destination location based on the first start time relative to the second start time. | 04-14-2011 |
| 20110087427 | NAVIGATION SYSTEM WITH USER GENERATED CONTENT MECHANISM AND METHOD OF OPERATION THEREOF - A method of operation of a navigation system includes: receiving a change request with a proposed change for an item; verifying a validity of the change request based on a confidence level meeting or exceeding a change threshold; and updating a target element of the item based on the validity of the proposed change for avoiding an incorrect update to the target element for displaying on a device. | 04-14-2011 |
| 20110087428 | DEVICE FOR AIDING THE FLIGHT MANAGEMENT OF AN AIRCRAFT - A device for aiding the flight management of an aircraft includes a navigation display, a personalized database capable of storing navigation-aid data, each datum comprising a classification type representative of a family or of one or more categories of navigation-aid data, one or more periods of validity of the said datum, information relating to at least one geographic zone of the said datum, one graphic and/or textual representation of the said datum, selection means allowing an operator to choose one (or more) type(s) of classification, called selected type(s), extraction means capable of extracting from the personalized database the navigation-aid datum or data called extracted data of which the type is equal to at least one selected type, of which at least one geographic zone is situated at a distance, from the flight plan or from the aircraft, that is less than a predetermined maximum distance and of which at least one period of validity verifies a predefined display time criterion, the said extraction means transmitting the said extracted datum or data to the said navigation display capable of displaying the representations of the said extracted data. | 04-14-2011 |
| 20110093188 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR VISUALIZING SHARED ROUTE INFORMATION - A method and system for visualizing shared route information are provided. The method includes receiving a route query from a user and retrieving multiple route results for the query for display as an overlay on a map. The method further includes processing the route results for display by dividing each route result into sub-routes, wherein a sub-route is a portion of a route between intersections with other routes and aggregating the sub-routes across the route results. Each sub-route in the route results is scored according to a defined scoring basis and represented in the display according to the relative score to other sub-routes. A user can select a displayed sub-route and the method filters the route results to remove any routes not including the selected sub-route and displays the narrowed results. | 04-21-2011 |
| 20110098910 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INTELLIGENT GUIDANCE USING MARKERS - An approach is provided for providing navigational assistance using guidance markers. One or more parameters associated with a guidance marker are received. A score is determined for the guidance marker using the one or more parameters. The guidance marker is selected based, at least in part, on the score for use in navigating along a path. Further, at least one other score can be determined for at least one other guidance marker and the other score may be compared with the score. The selection can be based on the comparison. A starting point and a destination point can be received. Further, navigational assistance data may be determined based on the guidance marker, the starting point, and the destination point. The navigational assistance data can be caused to be presented on a device. | 04-28-2011 |
| 20110098911 | NAVIGATION SYSTEM WITH VIDEO AND METHOD OF OPERATION THEREOF - A method of operation of a navigation system includes: detecting a surrounding view for detecting an object at a traffic lane to the left or the right of a device as well as in the front or at the rear of the device; presenting the surrounding view for displaying on the device; and generating an alert with a detection of the object at or exceeding a threshold. | 04-28-2011 |
| 20110098912 | METHOD OF RESOLVING A LOCATION FROM ENCODED DATA REPRESENTATIVE THEREOF - A method, of resolving a location from an ordered list of location reference points being representative of nodes in an encoder digital map and each having attributes representative of a specific line or segment in the encoder digital map emanating from or incident at those nodes, is disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the method includes (i) for each location reference point, identifying at least one candidate node existing in a second digital map, and, using the available attributes of that location reference point, identifying at least one candidate line or segment existing in the second digital map emanating from or incident at the candidate node, (ii) performing a route search within the second digital map between: (a) at least one of said at least one candidate node and the corresponding candidate line or segment emanating therefrom or incident thereat, and (b) at least one of a candidate node for the next location reference point appearing in the list and the corresponding candidate line or segment emanating therefrom or incident thereat, and extracting from the second digital map each line or segment forming part of the route so determined between the candidate nodes, (iii) repeating step (ii) for each consecutive pair of location reference points up to and including the final location reference point appearing in the list. Preferably, the route search is a shortest path route search, most preferably operating on respective pairs of successive candidate nodes, and includes a way of ensuring that the corresponding line or segment of the first of the pair of nodes forms part of the route resulting therefrom. | 04-28-2011 |
| 20110098913 | NAVIGATION DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING A ROUTE OF TRAVEL - A method for route of travel determination in a navigation device is disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the method includes determining, using a processor of a portable navigation device, map information for a route of travel from a first location to a second location, based at least in part upon average speed data for at least one type of road along the route of travel. The method further includes displaying the determined map information on a display device of the navigation device. A navigation device is also disclosed. The navigation device includes a memory resource to store average speed data for a plurality of types of road and average speed data for a plurality of roads and a processor to determine map information for a route of travel from a first location to a second location, based at least in part upon the average speed data for at least one of the plurality of types of road along the route of travel. The navigation device further includes a display device to display the determined map information. | 04-28-2011 |
| 20110098914 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GENERATING TACTICAL ROUTES - A computer-implemented system and method for generating a tactical route to a battlefield destination including an Intervisibility Analyzer for analyzing propagation of optical lines of sight in a geographic terrain, a Speed Analyzer for analyzing speed of travelers in the geographic terrain, and a Route Generator for generating routes that facilitate tactical movement. The Intervisibility Analyzer and Speed Analyzer are used by a Cost Generator to determine tactical movement costs in geographic terrain. The Route Generator includes a Cost Evaluator for evaluating the cost of an edge during route generation. | 04-28-2011 |
| 20110106417 | Path Planning in a Warehouse - A method of path planning for a working resource to access storage bins in a warehouse, the warehouse comprising a plurality of storage bins, the warehouse being divided into a set of activity areas, each activity area comprising a number of the bins of the warehouse; the method comprising the following steps: Selecting one out of a set of activities of a working resource in the warehouse; selecting a sort sequence which is associated with the selected activity, the sort sequence defining a path through the activity area the working resource has to follow when accessing the bins; determining, based on the selected activity area and the selected sort sequence, the path through the activity area to the bins. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110106418 | ADAPTIVE SENSOR-BASED ACTIVITY CLASSIFICATION - An activity state (e.g., stationary or moving) of an intermittently moving mobile device is classified using sensor measurements provided by one or more on-board sensors. The activity state can be determined by a classifier that exploits the separable log-normal distributions of the short-time variance of sensor measurements. The activity state can provide an external non-correlated indication of movement or stationarity to an on-board navigation engine. The on-board navigation engine can use the activity state to improve tracking performance. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110106419 | METHODS FOR REDUCING THE CONSUMPTION AND COST OF FUEL - The present invention features a method of calculating a path that minimizes fuel consumption and costs thereof. In preferred embodiments, the method includes forming a driving speed profile by predicting a change in driving speed and forming a path that minimizes fuel consumption and costs thereof by applying a fuel consumption cost modeling method using the driving speed profile and traffic information or the like. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110106420 | MAP DISPLAY DEVICE - A map display device includes a map data acquiring unit | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110112750 | ROUTE PREVIEW - A navigation device includes: a route calculation module operable to calculate a route from a start location to a destination location; a rendering module configured to use digital map data to generate images of the route for display to a user; and a route preview module operable to provide the user with a preview of the calculated route. In at least one embodiment, the route preview module is operable to divide the calculated route into junction segments and road segments, and is configured to control the rendering module to display images representative of locations within the road segments at a higher display speed than images representative of locations within the junction segments. | 05-12-2011 |
| 20110112751 | NAVIGATION DEVICE AND METHOD OF DISPLAYING DATA - A system includes a processing device arranged to send and receive data to and from a network and including an output device and schedule request input; and a first server also arranged to send and receive data to and from a network. In at least one embodiment, the processing device is arranged to allow a user to select specified schedule information by use of the schedule request input for output on the device; and the processing device is further arranged, upon an input to the schedule request input to connect to the server across a network and obtain the specified schedule information therefrom and to output the schedule information on the output device. | 05-12-2011 |
| 20110112752 | POSITIONING APPARATUS AND POSITIONING METHOD - A positioning apparatus includes: a first positioning unit that measures a position by receiving a signal; a second positioning unit that measures a position by autonomous navigation; and a memory unit that stores a positioning environment when the position is measured by the first positioning unit and the second positioning unit, wherein the first positioning unit and the second positioning unit measure the position based on the positioning environment. | 05-12-2011 |
| 20110112753 | Traffic Information Providing System and Car Navigation System - A traffic information providing system externally acquires traffic information including information relating to the travel time of a link, calculates a travel time for a non-provision link to which no travel time is provided through estimate/complement operation. The estimate/complement operation is carried out with use of travel times, emergencies, travel times of links in the vicinity of the non-provision link, and so on, obtained in the near past. The system stores and statistically processes the externally-acquired traffic information, and also estimates a travel time in the near future. When there is an abnormality in the acquired traffic information, the system deletes the abnormality, regards the information as a non-provision link, calculates a probability distribution of travel times of links, calculates a probability distribution of travel times of the entire route made up of a plurality of links, and also calculates a probability for a specific travel time range. | 05-12-2011 |
| 20110112754 | MAP INTERFACE WITH PLACEABLE MARKER - A map user interface is described, including a first view transmitted from a server computer system to the client computer system, the first view including a map, and a location marker placed at the selected location on the map upon receiving a placement request indicating selection of a selected location for placement of a location marker. | 05-12-2011 |
| 20110112755 | MAP INTERFACE WITH PLACEABLE MARKER - A map user interface is described, including a first view transmitted from a server computer system to the client computer system, the first view including a map, and a location marker placed at the selected location on the map upon receiving a placement request indicating selection of a selected location for placement of a location marker. | 05-12-2011 |
| 20110118969 | COGNITIVE AND/OR PHYSIOLOGICAL BASED NAVIGATION - A method of navigation comprising receiving, from at least one sensor, physiological sensor data indicative of at least one physiological attribute of a person and generating navigation-related information derived from at least some of the physiological sensor data. | 05-19-2011 |
| 20110118970 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DEFINING DIRECTIONS - A method and computer program product for defining a plurality of addresses. Driving directions between each of the plurality of addresses are defined, thus generating a plurality of driving directions. The plurality of driving directions are stored on a client electronic device. | 05-19-2011 |
| 20110118971 | EFFICIENT LOCATION REFERENCING METHOD - An efficient method of encoding a continuous path within a road network is described. Ideally the path to be encoded is capable of being completely represented within a digital map and expressible as a path list of lines and/or segments existing in the digital map and consecutively ordered. In at least one embodiment, the method includes: (i) storing a start position in a route search list, the start position being one of: (a) the line or segment first appearing in the path list or, where the start node of the first line or segment is artificial, the first line or segment appearing in the digital map having a real start node and which leads directly to the first line or segment optionally through other artificial nodes, or (b) a most recently identified deviation line or segment also appearing in the path list; (ii) determining a path from the start node of the start position and including the start position to an end node of the last line or segment in the path list within the digital map, the path being determined according to an algorithm, (iii) comparing the shortest path so determined to the path list for identity, and in the absence of identity, identifying at least one deviation line or segment being part of the path list and having a start node representative of an intersection in the digital map but not being the line or segment first appearing in the path list, and if such deviation line or segment does not terminate at the end node of the last line or segment appearing in the path list, repeating step (i) using the deviation line or segment, and (iv) storing the last line or segment in the path list in the route search list if not already stored. Most preferably, the algorithm used is a shortest path algorithm. | 05-19-2011 |
| 20110118972 | NAVIGATION DEVICE & METHOD - A navigation device is disclosed including a processor; and a store containing map data. In at least one embodiment, the map data includes a temporally-variable feature and the processor is arranged, in a route planning process, to determine a status of the temporally-variable feature according to temporal information. | 05-19-2011 |
| 20110118973 | IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD AND SYSTEM - An image processing method and a system are provided. The image processing method of moving camera comprises the following steps. An image of a road is captured by a first camera unit. A coordinate of the image of an object shown in the image of the road is captured when the image of the object shown in the image of the road is selected. At least an aiming angle of a second camera unit is adjusted according to the coordinate to make the field-of-view of the second camera unit aligned with the object. The image of the object is captured by the second camera unit. The image of the object is enlarged. | 05-19-2011 |
| 20110118974 | SERVER, USER TERMINAL, AND SERVICE PROVIDING METHOD, AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - A control method of a server is provided. Location information is extracted from photographed data. The photographed data is linked to a course of travel having a pre-stored street image, by applying a predetermined standard based on the extracted location information. The photographed data is provided together with the linked course of travel having the pre-stored street image. | 05-19-2011 |
| 20110125393 | Systems and methods for information transformation and exchange - Systems and methods for sellers of goods and services for providing information relating to existence and features of what they provide, to buyers using a system as herein described that enables a buyer to identify and obtain collections of information that comprise a subset of the contents of a database having multiple records provided by a plurality of sellers. A seller may use a conventional home or office computer including without limitation PC's and MACINTOSH™ computers to transmit information to a system as provided, which is accessible to users also via a conventional home or office computer. A user specifies desired criteria and the system provides the user a subset of information upon which further decisions by the user can be made. In some embodiments, systems and methods provided relate to information concerning the inventory of new home construction in a selected region, which region may include a general metropolitan area. | 05-26-2011 |
| 20110125394 | Advertisement Systems and Methods for Notification Systems - Advertisement systems and methods are provided for use in connection with notification services or systems. One such method, among others that are disclosed, can be practiced by performing at least the following steps: (a) monitoring travel data associated with a mobile thing; (b) contacting a party based upon the travel data; (c) providing an advertisement to the party during the contact; and (d) charging a fee for or otherwise monetarily benefiting from providing the advertisement. | 05-26-2011 |
| 20110130949 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TRANSFORMING THREE-DIMENSIONAL MAP OBJECTS TO PRESENT NAVIGATION INFORMATION - An approach is provided for presenting navigation information to a user. An image representing one or more three dimensional map objects is retrieved. A point on one of the map objects is selected. The one map object is transformed at the selected point to represent a navigational element. Presentation of the transformed map object is caused, at least in part, using a graphical user interface of a mobile device. | 06-02-2011 |
| 20110130950 | TRAVEL DIRECTIONS WITH TRAVEL-TIME ESTIMATES - Travel directions may be provided with an estimate of the amount of time that it takes to traverse the route at various times of day. In one example, data is collected regarding the traffic along a route, as well as other factors that may affect the time it takes to traverse the route. The collected data is associated with a particular time, so that it is possible to know, for example, that traffic moves at an average speed of X from 1-2 p.m., an average speed of Y from 2-3 p.m., and so on. Directions may be presented to a user in a way that reflects the varying amount of time that it takes to traverse a route at different times of day. For example, a chart or graph showing how travel time changes throughout the day may be presented. | 06-02-2011 |
| 20110130951 | NAVIGATION SYSTEM FOR UPDATING PARTLY MAP LAYERS, AND METHOD FOR THE SAME - The present invention features a navigation system for partly updating a map layer, and a method for the same, in which, by dividing a map into locally small data areas considering connectivity with adjacent areas, and updating only areas updated among the divided areas, the navigation system is able to minimize a size of the updated data, and delete unnecessary procedures for post-processing in a user terminal. | 06-02-2011 |
| 20110130952 | Switching Control System and Car Navigation System - In this switching control system, a first control portion is preferentially connected to a portable storage medium connection portion, and formed to control a switching portion to switch the connection target of the portable storage medium connection portion from the first control portion to a second control portion in response to the contents of data stored in a portable storage medium when the portable storage medium is connected to the portable storage medium connection portion. | 06-02-2011 |
| 20110130953 | NAVIGATION EQUIPMENT AND NAVIGATION SYSTEM - The server apparatus has a life log database storing life log data indicating user behavior history. The server apparatus receives the related information request from the navigation apparatus, and searches the life log database based on the related information request to obtain the related information including the place information. Then, the server apparatus transmits the related information to the navigation apparatus. On the other hand, the navigation apparatus sets the guiding route based on the user's input, and generates the route information. The navigation apparatus obtains the ID information from the user's mobile terminal, and transmits the related information request including the ID information and the route information to the server apparatus. Further, when receiving the related information from the server apparatus, the navigation apparatus determines the candidate of the stop-by place based on the place information included in the related information, and displays the candidate on the display device. | 06-02-2011 |
| 20110130954 | System and Method for Coordinating Movement of Mobile Drive Units - A method for moving one or more mobile drive units within a workspace includes receiving, from a first mobile drive unit, a reservation request requesting use of a first path segment to move in a first direction. The method further includes determining that a second mobile drive unit is currently located on the first path segment and determining whether the second mobile drive unit is moving in the first direction. Additionally, the method includes transmitting a reservation response indicating that the reservation request is denied, in response to determining that the second mobile drive unit is not moving in the first direction. The method also includes transmitting a reservation response indicating that the reservation request is granted, in response to determining that the second mobile drive unit is moving in the first direction. | 06-02-2011 |
| 20110137546 | APPLICATION PROGRAMMING INTERFACE (API) FOR NAVIGATION APPLICATIONS THAT MERGES INCREMENTAL UPDATES WITH EXISTING MAP DATABASE - A system and method for efficiently updating the map database in a mobile computing system, such as a vehicle navigation system. The system includes a central server that computes changes between the latest version of a master map database and a previous version of the map database, and wirelessly transmits the changes to participating vehicles' onboard navigation systems. The navigation system stores the changes in a look-aside buffer, and a navigation processor uses the stored changes to update a base map database. | 06-09-2011 |
| 20110137547 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GENERATING SPATIAL INFORMATION - A system for generating spatial information using an unmanned aerial vehicle may collect area information of an area where the unmanned aerial vehicle is located, obtain image information of the area where the unmanned aerial vehicle is located, and integrate a time code into the image information. Next, the system for generating spatial information may map integrated information in which the time code is integrated into the image information and the area information, and generate three-dimensional (3D) spatial information including a true orthophoto generated by performing a true ortho-correction for a mapping result. | 06-09-2011 |
| 20110144898 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MIXED STATIC AND DYNAMIC ROUTING - Techniques for mixed static and dynamic routing include determining a subset of less than all of a plurality of stopover points of an initial route of ordered stopover points. In the subset, all stopover points are marked as dynamic to indicate that their order is allowed to change. It is also determined whether there are at least two stopover points for which order may be changed. If there are at least two stopover points for which order may be changed, then a computed route is determined in which an order in the computed route of the stopover points of the subset minimizes a metric for the entire route compared to any other allowed order of the stopover points of the subset. | 06-16-2011 |
| 20110144899 | Systems and Methods for Providing Geographical Information to a Mobile Communications Device - A system for providing a tailored route to a mobile communications device over a wireless communications network. The system includes a map server including a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to make the map server operable to prepare a basic route from a route origin to a route destination and obtain information regarding characteristics of the wireless communications network along the basic route. The processor is further made operable to prepare the tailored route using the basic route and the network characteristics information and provide the tailored route to the mobile communications device over the wireless communications network. | 06-16-2011 |
| 20110144900 | Speed Profile Dictionary - A speed profile dictionary and associated lookup tables are disclosed. A set of distinct speed profiles is defined using a statistical analysis routine. Preferably, the statistical analysis routine uses clustering. The speed profiles are then matched to location codes identifying physical locations on a road network and days of the week. Applications using historic traffic data may use the speed profile dictionary and one or more lookup tables instead of a complete historic traffic database, thereby reducing the amount of memory needed to store historic traffic data. | 06-16-2011 |
| 20110153185 | NAVIGATION DEVICE AND METHOD - A navigation device is disclosed which is operable to generate an output indication representing whether or not journey conditions are favourable. In at least one embodiment, the navigation device includes a processing resource configured to: calculate for a navigation route, expected journey time information indicating an expected time duration for completing the route; compare the expected journey time with an average journey time for the route; and generate, responsive to the result of said comparison, said output indication representing whether or not journey conditions are favourable. | 06-23-2011 |
| 20110153186 | Digital maps displaying search-resulting points-of-interest in user delimited regions - A method, system and apparatus for displaying points-of-interest (“POIs”) on a digital map are disclosed. One such method includes: presenting a digital map on a graphical display of an electronic device, wherein the digital map comprises map tiles and corresponds to a geographic region; receiving free-hand user input selecting a portion of the digital map; delimiting the portion of the digital map selected by the user; determining one or more of the POIs whose geographic coordinates are within the portion of the digital map selected by the user; and displaying a graphic for each of the determined POIs, wherein the displayed graphic is displayed on the digital map at the geographic coordinates of each of the determined one or more POIs. | 06-23-2011 |
| 20110153187 | Presenting a travel route using more than one presentation style - Techniques are provided for presenting a route in a manner that emphasizes the route and provides context information. For example, a vivid color or vivid colors may be used to display the route, and pastel colors or other desaturated colors may be used for non-route context information. This may result in a map in which the vivid colors of the route stand out over the faded style of the non-route context information to emphasize the route. In this manner, the map may both emphasize the route and provide context information for the route. | 06-23-2011 |
| 20110160993 | ROUTE SEARCHING DEVICE - A route searching device according to an embodiment of the invention includes an estimated fuel consumption amount computing unit that computes an estimated fuel consumption amount of each interval constituting plural routes from a departure point to a destination and an optimum route selecting unit that selects a route in which a total of the estimated fuel consumption amount from the departure point to the destination is minimized. The estimated fuel consumption amount computing unit includes a cruise fuel consumption amount computing unit that computes a cruise fuel consumption amount for each interval by multiplying a distance of the interval and a fuel consumption rate determined according to an average vehicle speed a vehicle-speed fluctuation fuel consumption amount computing unit that computes a vehicle-speed fluctuation fuel consumption amount for each interval in each road category by multiplying the distance of the interval and the a fuel consumption rate, the fuel consumption rate being determined from an average vehicle speed and the road category of the interval and a gradient fuel consumption amount computing unit that computes a gradient fuel consumption amount for each interval by multiplying the distance of the interval and a fuel consumption rate determined according to a road average gradient. The estimated fuel consumption amount is obtained by adding the cruise fuel consumption amount, the gradient fuel consumption amount, and the vehicle-speed fluctuation fuel consumption amount. | 06-30-2011 |
| 20110160994 | AUTO-DETECTION OF A FIELD IN FLEET MANAGEMENT - A field boundary may be provided. First, a plurality of location data points may be received. Next, it may be determined whether each of the plurality of location data points is associated with at least one work area. Then a boundary line of the at least one work area may be identified from at least a subset of the plurality of location data points. | 06-30-2011 |
| 20110160995 | MAP DATABASE HAVING VECTORS FOR DETERMINING DESTINATIONS, AND VECTOR DETERMINATION METHOD - A method, database, memory computer readable medium and navigation device are disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the method includes projecting a plurality of known address points onto an address segment vector of a source map database, to create projection points; interpolating locations for addresses of the address points, to create corresponding interpolation points; and segmenting the address segment vector into a plurality of address sub-segment vectors, upon a distance between a projection point and a corresponding interpolation point exceeding a threshold distance. Embodiments include a memory including a digital map application database storing the address sub-segment vectors of the method, at least one of in place of and in addition to corresponding address segment vectors, upon an address segment vector being segmented; a navigation device including the memory; a digital map application database including a plurality of address segment vectors and a plurality of address sub-segment vectors and a computer readable medium including the digital map application database. | 06-30-2011 |
| 20110160996 | NAVIGATION DEVICE, MOVEMENT HISTORY RECORDING METHOD, AND NON-TRANSITORY COMPUTER PROGRAM STORAGE DEVICE - A navigation device, method and computer program storage device cooperate to seamlessly provide electronic navigational assistance, despite the user electing to use different modes to transportation, such as motored vehicle, by foot, or by bicycle, for example during a single trip. In addition to prospective (forward looking) navigation assistance, retrospective assistance is offered as well by the device collecting and storing actual traversal path of the device even when multiple modes of transportation are used in a single trip. | 06-30-2011 |
| 20110172902 | Computer-Aided Route Selection - 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 a he 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. | 07-14-2011 |
| 20110178697 | POINT OF INTEREST BASED DIRECTIONS IN A MAPPING APPLICATION - Systems and methods are provided for defining a route from a starting point to a destination. The route can include several steps, each including an instruction directing a user to move in a particular manner, and a reference around or near which to follow the instruction. To assist the user in following the directions, a step can include one or more points of interest serving as references. In particular, points of interest having high visibility (e.g., relative to street signs) can be selected to serve as references for the directions. The device can select which points of interest to use based on any suitable criteria, including for example based on the distance of a point of interest from a location where a step requires an instruction, as well as based on visibility attributes of the points of interest. | 07-21-2011 |
| 20110178698 | NAVIGATION DEVICE & METHOD - A navigation device is disclosed which is operable to generate an output indication representing whether or not journey conditions are favourable. In at least one embodiment, the navigation device includes a processing resource configured to: determine first journey time information for traversing at least one segment of a navigation route at a first predetermined time; determine second journey time information for traversing the one segment of the navigation route at a second predetermined time different from the first predetermined time; determine from the first and second journey time information a journey time parameter representative of an evolution characteristic of journey time; and generate, responsive to the journey time parameter, the output indication representing whether or not journey conditions are favourable. | 07-21-2011 |
| 20110178699 | CONTAINER, NAVIGATION DATA RECORDING MODULE, AND NAVIGATION DATA RECORDING APPARATUS - This disclosure provides a container, which includes a containing part, a cooling part arranged outside of the containing part and for cooling by a heat absorbing action at the time of a phase transition, and a heat insulating part arranged outside of the cooling part. The container may further include a holding part arranged outside of the cooling part and for holding the cooling part near the containing part. Another cooling part may be arranged outside of the heat insulating part, in addition to the inside of the heat insulating part. The cooling part may be a bag shaped container filled with a cooling material and may have a joined part formed by closing an opening of the container. The joined part may be configured to be exfoliated when a temperature near the cooling part reaches a predetermined temperature or more. | 07-21-2011 |
| 20110184636 | Method of Operating a Navigation System to Provide Geographic Location Information - A computer implemented method of operating a navigation system to provide geographic location information is provided. The method comprises receiving a query text string representing a query for a geographic location from a user and obtaining data records that represent a plurality of candidate geographic locations. The method computes a text matching score that indicates how much of the query text string matches a record text string of the candidate geographic location and applies a usage pattern weight to the text matching score to obtain an overall score value for the candidate geographic location. The candidate geographic locations are ranked based on the overall score values. | 07-28-2011 |
| 20110184637 | MAP INTERFACE WITH A MOVABLE MARKER - A map user interface is described, including a view transmitted from a server computer system to a client computer system, the view including a map and a location marker at an initial location on the map, the location marker being movable from the initial location to a target location on the map. | 07-28-2011 |
| 20110184638 | MAP INTERFACE WITH A MOVABLE MARKER - A map user interface is described, including a view transmitted from a server computer system to a client computer system, the view including a map and a location marker at an initial location on the map, the location marker being movable from the initial location to a target location on the map. | 07-28-2011 |
| 20110191014 | MAPPING INTERFACE WITH HIGHER ZOOM LEVEL INSET MAP - Maps of a particular location are often generated with an inset area map, rendered in an inset region of the location map, of the general area including the location at a lower zoom level than the location map. However, this presentation may be disadvantageous in some scenarios (e.g., the where a user is interested in examining the extended area around the location, the area between two locations, or the spatial layout of the locations.) Instead, a composite map may be generated comprising an area map at an area map zoom level, and an inset location map rendered in an inset region of the location map and illustrating a location at a higher zoom level than the area map zoom level. Such composite maps may also be requested programmatically of a map generating service, and may be provided in an automated manner for use in an application. | 08-04-2011 |
| 20110191015 | METHOD FOR DETERMINING A ROUTE IN A NAVIGATION SYSTEM, AND NAVIGATION SYSTEM - 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. | 08-04-2011 |
| 20110191016 | MAP DATA, STORAGE MEDIUM AND NAVIGATION APPARATUS - Map data is disclosed. The map data includes a multilink information list, a road information list and an offset information list. The multilink information list stores fixed-length multilink information elements while multilinks are prescribed in such manner that when groups of links have the same attribute, the groups are collectively defined as a same multilink. Each multilink information element indicates a number of links contained in a corresponding multilink. The road information list stores therein road information elements each indicative of road information of a corresponding multilinks. The offset information list stores therein fixed-length offset information elements each indicative of location of a corresponding road information elements in the road information. | 08-04-2011 |
| 20110191017 | APPARATUS FOR PLANNING TRIPS COMBINATION, METHOD FOR THE SAME, AND PROGRAM FOR THE SAME - A drive management system proposes a trips combination, such as a combination of two regular trips and/or a side trip from an ongoing trip. A trips database stores a plurality of trips including regular trips. A regular trips combination proposing module automatically creates a trips combination of regular trips and proposes the trips combination to a user. The real-time trips combination proposing module finds out a trip combinable with an ongoing trip based on short-term needs which are retrieved from the trips database and proposes the trips combination to a user. The system proposes the trips combination and shows an impact which will be caused by the proposed trips combination. As a result, it is possible to support a user to plan a trips combination advantageous in some aspect. | 08-04-2011 |
| 20110191018 | Systems and Methods for Presenting Characteristics Associated With a Physical Activity Route - In at least one embodiment, a method for execution by a server computer system includes receiving a description of a fitness activity of interest to a user, in response to receiving the description, identifying a route corresponding to the activity of interest, and initiating the presentation of a route rating associated with the route that is based upon at least one individual rating associated with the route. | 08-04-2011 |
| 20110196601 | TRAVEL ROUTE EVALUATION SYSTEM AND TRAVEL ROUTE EVALUATION PROGRAM - A travel route evaluation system is provided which is capable of enhancing the driver's consciousness of traveling on the a recommended route, in order to improve a degree of attainment of purposes, such as suppression of a fuel consumption and shortening of a required time, that would be obtained by presenting the recommended route. | 08-11-2011 |
| 20110196602 | Destination search in a navigation system using a spatial index structure - A method and system for full text search during destination selection using a navigation system is disclosed. The full text search system includes a relation table and a spatial index structure, e.g., an R-tree. The relation table maps tokens to a token identifier. Each level of a destination is mapped to its own dimension, e.g., Country to X, City to Y, and Street to Z. Each document is then mapped to an n-dimensional vector using the token identifiers. | 08-11-2011 |
| 20110196603 | Systems and Methods for Presenting Comparative Athletic Performance Information - In at least one embodiment, a system for presenting athletic performance information includes a server configured to store information related to a previous traversal of a route by a user, and a mobile device in communication with the server, the mobile device configured to receive the information related to the previous traversal of the route by the user from the server, and present athletic performance information based at least in part on the information related to the previous traversal of the route to the user during a subsequent traversal of the route. | 08-11-2011 |
| 20110196604 | MAP DISPLAYING DEVICE - A map displaying device for displaying an accessible range in an arbitrary display form determined in accordance with the scale of a displayed map and/or with the running state of a vehicle is provided. The map displaying device includes: a display unit for displaying map information stored in a map database; a search unit for calculating travel time information regarding a travel time to an arbitrary point accessible from a reference point; and a time information drawing unit for displaying the travel time information in a superimposed manner on the display unit by varying a display form in accordance with the scale of a map and/or with the running state of a user's vehicle. | 08-11-2011 |
| 20110202267 | Constructing Travel Itineraries from Tagged Geo-Temporal Photographs - One embodiment accesses two or more photos taken by one or more travelers at one or more destinations and one or more points-of-interest located within the destinations; constructs one or more photo streams for each unique traveler-destination combination, wherein each one of the photo streams comprises two or more of the photos taken by the corresponding traveler at the corresponding destination; maps each one of the photos to one of the points-of-interest; constructs one or more timed paths for each unique traveler-destination combination based on the photo streams and the mapping between the photos and the points-of-interest, wherein each one of the timed paths comprises one or more of the points-of-interest located within the corresponding destination and visited by the corresponding travel; and constructs an itinerary based on a start point-of-interest, an end point-of-interest, a time constraint, and the timed paths. | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110202268 | PORTABLE FITNESS SYSTEMS, AND APPLICATIONS THEREOF - In at least one embodiment, a method includes receiving a description of a route of interest to a user, in response to receiving the description, generating a prospective route based on the description, providing a graphical element corresponding to the prospective route to the user, and scheduling a traversal of the prospective route in a user training plan. | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110208416 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TRAVEL ROUTE PLANNING USING SAFETY METRICS - Systems and methods are described to receive a safety preference; calculate a temporary route; analyze a portion of the temporary route to determine whether the portion is sufficiently safe based on the safety preference; modify the portion of the temporary route when the portion is not sufficiently safe; and present the temporary route. Other systems and methods are described. | 08-25-2011 |
| 20110208417 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF REPRESENTING ROUTE INFORMATION - A route comprises interconnected road segments that can be traveled to get from a location to a destination. Previously, routes are represented by display of the spatial arrangement of such road segments (e.g., a map). Here, a route is depicted as a linear shape, and portions of the linear shape represent portions of the route, regardless of their spatial arrangement. A scale is applied between a characteristic of the route and the linear shape. Information elements can be depicted at points on the linear shape that correspond, based on the scale, to locations on the route where such information applies. Portions of the linear shape can be colored or cross-hatched according to traffic congestion conditions. Incident reports can be represented by indicators along the linear shape. Alternate routes (detours) can be represented by respective separate linear shapes; lead lines can connect such linear shapes to points of the route linear shape where each such detour would be taken. | 08-25-2011 |
| 20110208418 | Completing Obligations Associated With Transactions Performed Via Mobile User Platforms Based on Digital Interactive Tickets - Completion of obligations associated with transactions performed via mobile user platforms may be facilitated based on digital interactive tickets associated with a unique geographical location and/or user preferences. An indication that a user has completed a transaction presented to the user via a user platform may be received. The transaction may have been completed responsive to content received at the user platform. The content may have been provided to the user platform based on a geographical location of the user platform and/or a user preference associated with the user. The content may include information associated with the geographical location of the user platform. A digital interactive ticket may be provided to the user platform responsive to receiving the indication. The digital interactive ticket may including executable software and/or requisite data enabling the digital interactive ticket to provide additional functionality on the user platform. The additional functionality may facilitate completion of one or more obligations associated with the completed transaction. | 08-25-2011 |
| 20110224896 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING TOUCH BASED ROUTING SERVICES - A method for providing touch based routing services may include receiving an indication of a first touch event defining a start point on a map displayed on a touch screen display, receiving an indication of a second touch event defining a destination point on the map while the first touch event is maintained, and generating a route between the start point and the destination point for display on the touch screen display. A corresponding computer program product and apparatus are also provided. | 09-15-2011 |
| 20110224897 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SELECTIVE CANCELLATION OF NAVIGATION LOCKOUT - Disclosed herein is a navigation system for a vehicle. The navigation system includes a user interface configured to receive input from and output information to a user, and a controller configured to perform a plurality of functions based on the user input, the controller further configured to disable performance of at least one of the plurality of functions based on a vehicle condition and provide a warning to the user indicating that performance of the plurality of functions is to be performed by a passenger other than a driver, wherein the controller enables performance of the at least one of the plurality of functions upon receiving input signifying that the user is a passenger other than the driver. | 09-15-2011 |
| 20110224898 | LEARNING ROAD NAVIGATION PATHS BASED ON AGGREGATE DRIVER BEHAVIOR - Techniques are described for generating and using information regarding road traffic in various ways, including by obtaining and analyzing road traffic information regarding actual behavior of drivers of vehicles on a network of roads. Obtained actual driver behavior information may in some situations be analyzed to identify decision point locations at which drivers face choices corresponding to possible alternative routes through the network of roads (e.g., intersections, highway exits and/or entrances, etc.), as well as to track the actual use by drivers of particular paths between particular decision points in order to determine preferred compound links between those decision point locations. The identified and determined information from the analysis may then be used in various manners, including in some situations to assist in determining particular recommended or preferred routes of vehicles through the network of roads based at least in part on actual driver behavior information. | 09-15-2011 |
| 20110231086 | VEHICLE NAVIGATION SYSTEM - A system and method is provided for identifying and generating a route that provides a driver with an exhilarating ride. In an example method, the navigation system obtains location data for routes between a starting and ending location. The location data is analyzed by identifying points of inflection of the curved road portion. At least one curved segment is identified as being road portions between the points of inflection. A linear distance, L | 09-22-2011 |
| 20110238285 | NAVIGATION SYSTEM WITH TRAFFIC ESTIMATION USING PIPELINE SCHEME MECHANISM AND METHOD OF OPERATION THEREOF - A method of operation of a navigation system includes: selecting a road segment from a road network; generating a start window and an end window for the road segment; calculating a start window traffic speed for the start window; calculating an end window traffic speed for the end window; and estimating a traffic flow of the road segment based on the start window traffic speed and the end window traffic speed for displaying on a device. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110238286 | LOCATION AND MOBILE-ADAPTATION OF WIRELESS ACCESS-POINTS USING MAP-BASED NAVIGATION - A system and method for populating a map database for a vehicle navigation system with the location and type of wireless access points that can be used to update or service wireless systems on the vehicle. The map database can be initially populated with the known wireless access points at the time of manufacture of the vehicle, and then the vehicle communications system can detect new wireless access points as the vehicle travels, which can be stored on the map database. By storing the location and type of the access points in the map database, the vehicle will know the direction of the access point relative to the vehicle, and can compensate for the Doppler shift as a result of the relative movement of the vehicle to the access point. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110238287 | VEHICULAR CHARGING FACILITY GUIDANCE DEVICE, VEHICULAR CHARGING FACILITY GUIDANCE METHOD, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM - A vehicular charging facility guidance device is provided. The guidance device includes a route setting unit that sets a route from a departure point of a vehicle to a destination, a map display unit that displays a map on a display device, and a route display unit that displays the route set by the route setting unit to be overlapped with the map displayed on the display device. The guidance device also includes a frame display unit that displays a frame to be overlapped with the route on the display device and a frame movement unit that moves a reference position of the frame displayed by the frame display unit along the route. The guidance devise further includes a charging facility guidance unit that provides information on a charging facility located within an area delimited by the frame on the map. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110246054 | ROUTE SEARCHING SYSTEM, ROUTE SEARCHING SERVER AND ROUTE SEARCHING METHOD - It is an object to provide a route searching system that can easily carry out the search processing of a route covering different time zones. A route searching system is provided with a time zone data memory means that stores information of a time zone which is associated with each node composing a traffic network and to which a node belongs, a reference time table data memory means that stores reference time table data made out by using a predetermined reference time irrelevant to the time zone to which the node belongs, a time zone determination means that determines the time zone to which the starting point or destination point belongs and a time conversion means, wherein a route searching means searches for a route from the starting point to the destination point based on the traffic network data and the reference time table data, the time conversion means converts the time data of the searched route into guiding data based on the time zone to which the starting point or the destination point belongs. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110251783 | NAVIGATION DEVICE AND GUIDE ROUTE SEARCH METHOD - A navigation device and a guide route search method prevents searching for a detour route, and shortens the time required for setting an eventual guide route. A first partial route is extracted from a first guide route found in accordance with map data divided into three hierarchical levels, based on information about a road network. The first guide route is the route from the current location to a destination. A second partial route is obtained by performing a route search between the nodes at opposite ends of the first partial route, based on the map data containing the lowest level. A second guide route is obtained by replacing the first partial route in the first guide route with the second partial route, and is set as the eventual guide route. Accordingly, a subsequent search operation is performed on a partial detour route in the first guide route, based on the map data containing the lowest level. | 10-13-2011 |
| 20110251784 | Motor Vehicle Operating System - A motor vehicle operating system includes a navigation system for providing road map information, a vehicle monitoring system for providing vehicle information, a display device for displaying road map information and vehicle information, an operating device for detecting an operating action and a control device. The control device is set up and coupled with the navigation system, the vehicle monitoring system, the display device and the operating device such that, in a zoom operating condition, in at least one predefined operating situation or zoom situation, particularly in the case of the adjustment of the zoom factor to a limit value. A switching-over takes place from the zoom operating condition to a monitoring operating condition by way of an additional zoom operating action. | 10-13-2011 |
| 20110264361 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR UPDATING DIGITAL MAPS - A navigation unit for a vehicle for updating a navigation map is specified, wherein the navigation unit is configured to proactively ascertain a required portion of the map and is also configured to receive a restricted update for the map which relates to the required portion of the map. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110264362 | GENERATING A DISPLAY IMAGE - A method is disclosed for generating a display image including a map view and a road, the map view being a three dimensional perspective elevation view of a portion of a digital map as viewed from a viewing position. In at least one embodiment, the method includes determining, from information associated with the distance of the road that is to be displayed in the display image from the viewing position, whether a map object obscures a line of sight from said viewing position to the road in the three dimensional perspective elevation; and displaying an element of the road in a format that is dependent on whether the map object is determined to obscure said line of sight. An apparatus and a computer program are also disclosed. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110264363 | Method of Estimating Travel Time on a Route - A method of estimating travel times for a route for purposes of navigating a motor vehicle is disclosed. The method includes steps of retrieving traffic information for roadways including traffic information. The method also includes steps of calculating congestion factors for roadways not having traffic information according to their proximity to roadways having traffic information. In some embodiments, a map portion is divided into meshes and a congestion factor is calculated for each mesh according to the proximity of the mesh from meshes with roadways including traffic information. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110264364 | NAVIGATION DEVICE FOR A VEHICLE - A navigation device is provided for a vehicle with a processing unit for calculating the journey time of the vehicle for a planned route, wherein the calculating of the journey time takes place taking into consideration the vehicle configuration selected from several different selectable configurations of the vehicle. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110264365 | System And Method For Selecting And Presenting A Route To A User - A method and system are provided for selecting and presenting a route to a user. An exemplary embodiment includes storing a plurality of associations, each association between a route taken by a user and at least one safety characteristic of the route. Received from a particular user is a request for at least one recommended route to a destination point. A query is formulated based on user specified parameters, including an origination point, the destination point, and a safety characteristic, to obtain routes taken by other users. A plurality of routes taken by other users based on a safety characteristic of the routes and related to at least one of the origination point and the destination point is retrieved from the associations. At least one recommended route is recommended to the user based on at least one of the retrieved routes that most closely matches the specified parameters. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110270516 | Destination Maps User Interface - A user interface is presented via which user inputs can be received and maps can be displayed. A user selection of a destination and a user specification of a region of interest on a map are received. The region of interest surrounds the destination on the map. In response to receiving the user specification of the region of interest, a destination map is displayed via the user interface. The destination map includes both the destination and the region of interest, and a layout of one or more roads that include one or more routes to the destination at multiple different scales. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110276262 | SIGNAL PROCESSING MODULE, NAVIGATION DEVICE WITH THE SIGNAL PROCESSING MODULE, VEHICLE PROVIDED WITH A NAVIGATION DEVICE AND METHOD OF PROVIDING NAVIGATION DATA - A signal processing module ( | 11-10-2011 |
| 20110276263 | MAP DISTRIBUTION SERVER, MAP INFORMATION TERMINAL, AND MAP DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM USING THESE MAP DISTRIBUTION SERVER AND MAP INFORMATION TERMINAL - 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 | 11-10-2011 |
| 20110282569 | Route data compression method - A route data compression method to compress the recording points of a line of a route planning data by means of setting the values of predetermined distance, predetermined angle and predetermined number of compression points and then determining whether or not the distance between every two recording points is greater than the predetermined distance and whether or not the contained angle of the two link lines of every three recording points is greater than the predetermined angle. After determination of all recording points, the recording points are compressed. If the number of points after compression is greater than the predetermined number of compression points, increase the value of the predetermined distance, and then repeat the determination procedure. When the number of points after compression becomes smaller than the predetermined number of compression points, the compression is done. Thus, the amount of storage data that records the route is greatly reduced, saving data storage space and enhancing data transmission speed. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110282570 | Method and System for Providing Navigation Assistance on a Mobile Device - Methods and systems for providing navigation assistance on a mobile device are provided. A method may include extracting information from at least one of a first map image and an address image, wherein the first map image is a digitized picture of a non-digitized map and the address image is a digitized picture of a non-digitized written address. The method may also include communicating the extracted information to a mapping service server. The method may further include receiving, from the mapping service server in response to communicating the extracted information, a second map image including routing information for assisting navigation of a user of a mobile device. The method may additionally include displaying the second map image including the routing information. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110282571 | METHODS FOR PREDICTING DESTINATIONS FROM PARTIAL TRAJECTORIES EMPLOYING OPEN- AND CLOSED-WORLD MODELING METHODS - The claimed subject matter provides systems and/or methods that facilitate inferring probability distributions over the destinations and/or routes of a user, from observations about context and partial trajectories of a trip. Destinations of a trip are based on at least one of a prior and a likelihood based at least in part on the received input data. The destination estimator component can use one or more of a personal destinations prior, time of day and day of week, a ground cover prior, driving efficiency associated with candidate locations, and a trip time likelihood to probabilistically predict the destination. In addition, data gathered from a population about the likelihood of visiting previously unvisited locations and the spatial configuration of such locations may be used to enhance the predictions of destinations and routes. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110282572 | Method of Collecting Information for a Geographic Database for Use with a Navigation System - A method for operating a navigation system computes a pedestrian route for travel by a pedestrian. A request for the pedestrian route between a first location inside a building and a second location inside the building is obtained. A geographic database associated with the navigation system is accessed for data representing a plurality of pedestrian paths. A solution pedestrian route from the origin to the destination comprising a series of connected pedestrian paths between the first location and the second location is determined. A guidance message that identifies a feature visible from at least one of the pedestrian paths is provided. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110288760 | Navigation system - A navigation system includes: a map information acquiring unit for acquiring map information; an HOV lane decision unit for deciding whether an HOV lane is included in a road represented by the map information acquired by the map information acquiring unit or not; a road number processing unit for performing, when the HOV lane decision unit decides that the HOV lane is included, processing of adding information representing the HOV lane to a road number of the road including the HOV lane; and a display processing unit or a voice information unit for causing the road number passing through the processing by the road number processing unit to be displayed on the guide map or output in voice. | 11-24-2011 |
| 20110288761 | Navigation system - A navigation system includes: a map information acquiring unit for acquiring map information; an HOV lane decision unit for deciding whether an HOV lane is included in a road represented by the map information acquired by the map information acquiring unit or not; a road number processing unit for performing, when the HOV lane decision unit decides that the HOV lane is included, processing of adding information representing the HOV lane to a road number of the road including the HOV lane; and a display processing unit or a voice information unit for causing the road number passing through the processing by the road number processing unit to be displayed on the guide map or output in voice. | 11-24-2011 |
| 20110288762 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR TRANSMITTING AND/OR RECEIVING AT LEAST ONE LOCATION REFERENCE, ENHANCED BY AT LEAST ONE FOCUSING FACTOR - A method and system are disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the method includes at least one of obtaining and receiving information regarding at least one location reference at a server ( | 11-24-2011 |
| 20110295497 | DETERMINING ALTERNATIVE ROUTES - Alternative routes to an optimal route may be determined and presented to a user via a computing device. Alternative routes are selected from candidate routes that meet admissibility criteria. In an implementation, admissibility of a candidate route (in order for it to be considered an alternative route) may be determined based on three criteria: “limited sharing”, “local optimality”, and “stretch” such as “uniformly bounded stretch”. Limited sharing refers to the amount of difference between the alternative route and the optimal route, local optimality refers to lack of unnecessary detours, and uniformly bounded stretch refers to a length of the shortest path to travel between two points on the alternative route. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110295498 | COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE HAVING A COMMUTE TIME FUNCTION AND METHODS OF USE THEREOF - Apparatuses and methods to operate a commute time function of a communications device are described herein. In one embodiment, the commute time function is automatically activated based on an event and is then performed by (i) determining an up-to-date commute time based on commute information and (ii) displaying or speaking the up-to-date commute time on the device. In one embodiment, triggered by and before the occurrence of a calendar event, a device obtains a current commute time (based on the commute information and based on current traffic conditions1). In this embodiment, the device reschedules the calendar event based on the current commute time, by sending an update to the contacts with whom the user is to meet that indicates a change to the calendar event. Other embodiments are also described. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110301830 | GEOMETRICALLY CONSTRAINING A TRAVEL ROUTE USING A NAVIGATION SYSTEM - A navigation system for use with a geospatial database includes a presentation device and a host machine in communication with the database. The host machine executes an algorithm to calculate a geometrically-constrained auxiliary travel route between a route origin and a route destination using mapping data from the geospatial database and a reference geometric path, wherein the auxiliary travel route is geometrically-constrained by minimizing a cost of deviating from the reference geometric path. The host machine then presents information describing the auxiliary travel route using the presentation device. The geometric path may be one of a straight line, an arc, and a set of road segments having a predetermined geometric feature. The cost of deviating includes at least one of a distance of deviating from the reference geometric path, and a number of crossings or switchbacks of the auxiliary travel route with respect to the reference geometric path. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110301831 | Method and Apparatus for Generating Map-Based Snippets - Various methods for generating map-based snippets are provided. One example method includes determining that a content page identifier includes an indication that a content page includes a map. In this regard, data for rendering the content page may include at least destination information. The method may also include in response to determining that the content page identifier includes an indication that the content page includes a map, extracting the destination information from the content page. The example method may further include constructing a user interface snippet that is selectable for retrieving the content page, where the user interface snippet includes a component that is generated based at least in part on the destination information. Similar and related example methods and example apparatuses are also provided. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110301832 | Searching Similar Trajectories by Locations - Techniques for providing a trajectory route to multiple geographical locations of interest are described. This disclosure describes receiving global position system (GPS) logs associated with respective individual devices, each of the GPS logs including trajectories connecting a set of geographical locations previously visited by an individual of a respective individual device. A trajectory route service receives a request for a trajectory connecting a set of geographical locations of interest specified by a user. The trajectory route service calculates a proximal similarity between (1) the set of geographical locations of interest specified by the user, and (2) respective sets of geographical locations from the GPS logs. The trajectory route service constructs the requested trajectory with use of at least one of the trajectories from the GPS logs determined at least in part according to the calculated proximal similarities. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110301833 | ROUTE GUIDANCE SYSTEM, ROUTE SEARCH SERVER, AND ROUTE GUIDANCE METHOD - A route guidance system comprises first and second route search severs, which are provided with first and second areas as service providing areas, and terminals. When the terminals request route search, the first route search server determines the second route search sever, determines whether or not the terminals can perform roaming in the second area, transmits to the second route search sever point information and information as to whether or not the roaming is possible, and requests the route search. The second route search server searches for an optimal route which satisfies a route search condition. If the roaming is determined to be impossible, the second route search server determines a data format in which data can be outputted, creates guidance route information by editing the information on optimal route into the data format, and transmits the guidance route information to the terminals ( | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110307167 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING GEOGRAPHICALLY TARGETED INFORMATION AND ADVERTISING - A system and method of providing information based on the location of the target. The system is ideal for use with voice based technology, and uses street segments to allow users to identify their location by cross street. The system can target advertisements to users based on the location of the user, a destination location related to the information requested by the user and/or the route to be taken by the user to reach such destination location. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110307168 | Weather-sensitive route mapping - A wireless phone navigation system that obtains and uses weather system data to alert and re-route a user around inclement weather located at a point on the user's navigated route, as predicted to be at a time in the future that the user would otherwise be expected to traverse that part of the navigated route. A weather polygon is drawn around a perimeter of a weather system obtained from current weather data. The weather polygon (or other shape) may be drawn based on configurable weather items to be avoided, e.g., rain, ice conditions, snow on ground, etc. The re-routing may be based on a prediction of a future position of a weather system with respect to where on a navigated route a user will be at that future time. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110313648 | Probabilistic Map Matching From A Plurality Of Observational And Contextual Factors - Systems, methods, and devices are described for implementing map matching techniques relating to measured location data. Probabilistic models, including temporal Bayesian network models and Hidden Markov Models, may be used for combining multiple classes of evidence relating to potential locations of points traversed on routes over time. Multiple route segments and overall routes may be maintained under relative uncertainty as candidates. The candidate route segments and overall routes may then be reduced into a smaller number of candidates or a single most likely route as a trip progresses. As the trip progresses, route segments in proximity to each location point are identified and candidate matches are determined. A probability of an entity traversing a candidate match at a given time and a probability of an entity traversing between a first candidate match at a first time and a second candidate match at a second time are determined based on a plurality of factors. Different modalities may be used to measure and transmit the location data. | 12-22-2011 |
| 20110313649 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING SMART ZOOMING OF A GEOGRAPHIC REPRESENTATION - 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. | 12-22-2011 |
| 20110313650 | INERTIAL SENSOR ORIENTATION DETECTION AND MEASUREMENT CORRECTION FOR NAVIGATION DEVICE - Implementations relating to methods, apparatuses and systems are disclosed for obtaining corrected inertial measurements based on an observed orientation of an inertial sensor system relative to a reference body. | 12-22-2011 |
| 20110313651 | Travel route mapping based on radiation exposure risks - Exemplary methods, systems and components enable detection and/or monitoring and/or control of electromagnetic radiation (EMR) exposure of target body-related portions of a user operating a telecommunication device. In some embodiments a risk-assessment output is provided based on a safety threshold or predetermined intrusion level of EMR exposure. A further aspect may include interaction with external EMR sources regarding possible modification of emissions as well as possible arrangements for other types of remedial action. Some embodiments may provide travel route mapping data indicative of EMR source locations and/or irradiation values in a given locale. | 12-22-2011 |
| 20110320113 | GENERATING DRIVING ROUTE TRACES IN A NAVIGATION SYSTEM USING A PROBABILITY MODEL - A navigation system includes a display screen and a host machine operable for calculating and displaying a recommended travel route within a road network using a Markov or other probability model. The probability model statistically models a distribution pattern of speed or other actual driving behavior within a road network. An input device may record risk aversion of a user, with the host machine calculating the recommended travel route using the risk aversion. The host machine reduces the model to a single cost, and then uses the single cost in a Dijkstra algorithm or other costing function to calculate the recommended travel route. A method of operating the navigation system includes calculating the recommended travel route using a probability model, and displaying the recommended travel route via the display screen. The host machine may calculate the recommended travel route using risk aversion entered via an input device. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110320114 | Map Annotation Messaging - A map annotation message including map annotation data that represents a route is received by a receiving device. The map annotation data is analyzed to determine a route represented by the map annotation message, and the determined route is presented by the receiving device. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110320115 | NAVIGATION SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE AND NAVIGATION SERVICE METHOD FOR THE SAME - A navigation system for a vehicle and a navigation method for the same are disclosed. The navigation system collects transportation information and fuel efficiency information from several source vehicles located in a specific region, generates an optimum route for the corresponding region, and informs a target vehicle having requested a navigation service of the optimum route, resulting in the implementation of more effective navigation service. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20120004840 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COMPUTING NECESSARY TIME FOR TRAVEL BASED ON WAITING TIME - Provided are a system and method for computing a total travel time according to a transportation type, based, in part, on a waiting time to wait for traveling in the transportation. A system for computing a necessary time for travel may include an input unit to receive a starting point and a destination point, and a necessary time computing unit to compute a necessary time taken to travel from the starting point to the destination point, by adding a waiting time and a travel time, thereby minimizing an error in computing the necessary time for travel. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20120010805 | VEHICLE-BASED METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR MANAGING PERSONAL INFORMATION AND EVENTS - Various embodiments may include a vehicle-based system and method for managing a user's personal information and events. A user's personal communications (such as verbal and non-verbal communications) may be monitored to identify one or more unscheduled personal events. A determination may be made whether the unscheduled personal events conflict with one or more previously scheduled personal events or personal events pending for scheduling. The scheduled personal events or pending personal events may be obtained from recorded conversations, emails, text messages, social networking messages, and the like. Based on the determination, one or more actions may be taken on the unscheduled personal events. A determination may also be made whether to add the contact with whom the user is having a personal communication to the user's address book based on whether a personal relationship exists with the contact. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120016576 | NAVIGATION SYSTEM WITH ECOLOGICAL ROUTE BASED DESTINATION GUIDANCE MECHANISM AND METHOD OF OPERATION THEREOF - A method of operation of a navigation system includes: generating candidate routes from a start location to a destination; calculating a route travel fuel cost with a vehicle fuel consumption rate of a vehicle; calculating a route acceleration fuel cost from an acceleration of the vehicle; calculating a route idle fuel cost from a vehicle idle instance of the vehicle; calculating a route fuel cost for the candidate routes with the route travel fuel cost, the route idle fuel cost and the route acceleration fuel cost; and selecting an ecological route from the candidate routes having the lowest value of the route fuel cost for displaying on a device. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120022776 | Method and Apparatus for Advanced Intelligent Transportation Systems - An intelligent transportation system that utilizes identification codes, databases and preprogrammed action steps contained within those databases is presented. The system thereby allows rich transportation communications to be made to the operators of vehicles while making optimum use of available networking bandwidth. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120029804 | System and Method for Multi-Resolution Routing - A system, method and computer program product for efficiently generating on- and off-road travel routes using multi-resolution maps including a map generator ( | 02-02-2012 |
