Entries |
Document | Title | Date |
20080201075 | VIDEO MIRROR SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE - A video mirror system for a vehicle comprises an interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly having a reflective element that has a front portion that faces generally towards the driver of the vehicle when the interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted in the vehicle and that has a rear portion that is generally opposite the front portion. The reflective element comprises a transflective mirror reflector that preferably is at least about 15 percent transmitting to visible light incident at the rear portion of the reflective element, and that preferably is at least about 60 percent reflective to visible light incident at the front portion. A video display screen is disposed to the rear of the reflective element and emits light when actuated that passes through the reflective element to be visible to a driver of the vehicle. | 08-21-2008 |
20080201076 | Witness Based Tracking Systems And Methods - Systems and method provide witness based tracking. An encounter with a first mobile sensor module and a second mobile sensor module is determined. At least one witness event of the encounter is recorded, the witness event comprising a mobile ID of at least one of the first and second mobile sensor modules and a time of the encounter. Stored witness events are exchanged between the first and second mobile sensor modules. Stored witness events are transmitted to an access point when the access point is within communication range of at least one of the first and second mobile sensor modules. Received witness events are sent from the access point to a data processing center and stored within a database. The witness events stored within the database are processed to determine a last encounter of one or both of the first and second mobile sensor modules. | 08-21-2008 |
20080208467 | Methods for obtaining a navigation track between a first and a second location at a client device using location information obtained from a server device and related devices and computer program products - A client device is operated to obtain a navigation track between a first location and a second location by establishing a communication connection with a server device and receiving a message that contains information associated with the first location and/or the second location from the server device. The information is associated with a navigation module on the client device. The information associated with the first location and/or 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 |
20080208468 | Forward looking virtual imaging - Inputting information from On-Board Avionics & Instrumentation and may be AHRS which provides vehicle status to a FLVI Engine through a communication interface, the FLVI engine selects imagery from a data base and synchronizes the imagery with the vehicle status, and outputs the synchronized images to a display. The FLVI engine may have a calibration module. | 08-28-2008 |
20080208469 | TECHNIQUE FOR EFFECTIVE NAVIGATION BASED ON USER PREFERENCES - In a navigation device in accordance with the invention, user profiles may be stored and used to navigate a user who may be driving in a vehicle, on foot, or in other mode of transportation. Each user profile corresponds to one of the user's personae. For example, the user business profile corresponding to the user's business persona may be different from the user personal profile corresponding to the user's personal persona. For instance, the user business profile may include fine-dining type restaurants for business meetings while the user personal profile may instead include fast-food type restaurants for personal dining. The inventive navigation device provides the user with a navigated route, together with information concerning the favorite facilities and events surrounding the navigated route, which satisfy the preferences in a selected user profile. In accordance with an aspect of the invention, blockages may also be established using the device to avoid selected areas, e.g., high crime areas, in the navigated route, or to block transmission of selected information concerning, e.g., uninteresting facilities and events, to the inventive navigation device. | 08-28-2008 |
20080215240 | Integrating User Interfaces - Generating a user interface includes integrating elements of a first graphical user interface into a second graphical user interface to produce a combined graphical user interface, where the first graphical user interface is for a portable navigation system and the second graphical user interface is for a vehicle media device, and controlling the vehicle media device and the portable navigation system through the combined graphical user interface. | 09-04-2008 |
20080221793 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF TRACKING AND/OR AVOIDING HARM TO CERTAIN DEVICES OR HUMANS - The present invention relates to systems and methods of tracking and/or avoiding harm to certain devices or humans. According to one exemplary embodiment, a method of tracking individual assets may include obtaining position data of an asset via a GPS receiver in communication with a position sensor associated with the asset, processing position data and sensor data via a processing component associated with the position sensor that receives the position data from the GPS receiver, and communicating sensor data to a host device via a communication interface associated with the position sensor and configured to enable wireless communication between the position sensor and the host device. | 09-11-2008 |
20080228397 | REVERSE MAP DETERMINATION OF LOCATIONS AND ADDRESSES - A method and a system for determining a reverse map of locations and addresses are disclosed. The method includes receiving information from a user about a segment of a route ( | 09-18-2008 |
20080228398 | Timed-based ephemeris identity in assistance data and assistance data request messages - A module (software or ASIC) for use in a serving mobile Location Centre (SMLC) or a mobile station having a GPS receiver (or an A-GPS receiver) for determining an ITOW for a CNAV-1 signal. Also provided is a module for a mobile with GPS (or A-GPS receiver) so that the mobile can use the ITOW (either the ITOW provided with the CNAV-2, or that calculated for the CNAV-1) to uniquely identify ephemeris information in a request for assistance message. Also provided is a module for a SMLC by which the SMLC can use the IOD fields in the assistance data messages in a way that uniquely identifies the associated ephemeris information. | 09-18-2008 |
20080228399 | AUTOMATED METHOD AND SYSTEM TO CALCULATE THE SURFACE DISTANCE BETWEEN TWO GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATIONS, AND TO FILTER A DATA SET BASED ON THE CALCULATION - A method and apparatus for calculating the surface distance between two geographical locations are described. According to one aspect of the present invention, values are stored in a square look-up table for determining the square of a value. Also, values are stored in a linear to surface distance look-up table for determining the surface distance of a linear value. Cartesian co-ordinates of the two geographic locations and the square look-up table are then used to calculate the square of the linear distance between the two geographical locations and the linear to surface distance look-up table is used to convert the calculated square of the linear distance to a surface distance. | 09-18-2008 |
20080234932 | Navigation Device Having Direction Indicating Lamp - Disclosed is a navigation device loaded in a vehicle to output vehicle navigation information corresponding to a signal received from GPS (Global Positioning System). The navigation device includes a body including a display for displaying the vehicle navigation information, and a controller for calculating a current location of the vehicle with respect to a previously set destination and outputting a turning direction instructing signal; and a pair of light emitting members installed to the body so that right and left are distinguishable, the pair of light emitting members selectively emitting light in correspondence to the turning direction instructing signal output from the controller. | 09-25-2008 |
20080234933 | Systems and Methods for Detecting a Vehicle Static Condition - Systems and methods for detecting a vehicle static condition are provided. In this regard, a representative system includes a sensor operative to detect at least one of acceleration and angular rate of a vehicle. The sensor is further operative to generate a vehicle vibration profile based on the at least one of the detected acceleration and angular rate of the vehicle. The system further includes a computing device operative to receive the vehicle vibration profile from the sensor, the computing device being further operative to determine whether the vehicle is stationary or moving based on the vehicle vibration profile. A representative method for detecting a vehicle static condition includes detecting at least one of acceleration and angular grade of a vehicle; generating a vehicle vibration profile based on at least one of the detected acceleration and angular grade of the vehicle; receiving the vehicle vibration profile; and determining whether the vehicle is stationary or moving based on the vehicle vibration profile. | 09-25-2008 |
20080234934 | Vehicle navigation playback mehtod - An automotive vehicle navigation method includes obtaining electronic textual navigation information and converting the textual navigation information into audio data. The audio data is stored within the vehicle and is played back within the vehicle in sequential increments that correspond to respective legs of a trip being made by the vehicle. | 09-25-2008 |
20080243383 | Integrated collision avoidance enhanced GN&C system for air vehicle - Collision with ground/water/terrain and midair obstacles is one of the common causes of severe aircraft accidents. The various data from the coremicro AHRS/INS/GPS Integration Unit, terrain data base, and object detection sensors are processed to produce collision warning audio/visual messages and collision detection and avoidance of terrain and obstacles through generation of guidance commands in a closed-loop system. The vision sensors provide more information for the Integrated System, such as, terrain recognition and ranging of terrain and obstacles, which plays an important role to the improvement of the Integrated Collision Avoidance System. | 10-02-2008 |
20080262726 | METHOD AND GENERATOR FOR GENERATING A SPREAD-SPECTRUM SIGNAL - A method of generating a spread-spectrum signal in a navigation system comprises the steps of providing a carrier wave and a modulation waveform and modulating the carrier wave with the modulation waveform. The modulation waveform comprises a so-called anti-phase linear combination of a BOC(1,1) waveform and a BOC(m,1) waveform, expressible as α·BOC(1,1)−β·BOC(m,1), where m represents an even integer number, α and β are non-zero coefficients of the same sign, indicating the relative power split between the BOC(1,1) waveform and the BOC(m,1) waveform. | 10-23-2008 |
20080262727 | Method and system for administrating GIS data dictionaries - Embodiments of the present invention recite a method and system for administrating GIS data dictionaries. In one embodiment, a mobile electronic device is assigned to a workgroup. The method further comprises selecting a data dictionary comprising at least one desired GIS feature type which was not originally intended for use by the mobile electronic device based upon the assigned membership of the mobile electronic device to the workgroup. The method further comprises sending the data dictionary to the mobile electronic device via a wireless communication network. | 10-23-2008 |
20080270026 | METHOD AND APPARATUS IN POSITIONING WITHOUT BROADCAST EPHEMERIS - Provided herein are methods and system for enabling a navigation receiver to generate receiver specific satellite orbital models based on relatively small sets of parameters obtained from a server. In an embodiment, a set of parameters for a satellite includes a force parameter (e.g., solar radiation pressure), initial condition parameters (e.g., satellite position and velocity at a time instance) and time correction coefficients, which the receiver uses in a numerical integration to predict the position of the satellite. The set of parameters needed for the integration is small compared to current methods which require transmission of a complete set of ephemeris and other parameters for each satellite. Since the set of parameters is relatively small, it requires less communication resources to transmit compared to current methods. Further, the integration based on the small set of parameters enables the receiver to predict satellite orbits with low computational load. | 10-30-2008 |
20080281518 | Vehicular communication and information system and method of using the same - The vehicular communication and information system provides a computer system mounted within a vehicle, with a global positioning system receiver being in communication with the computer system. Location and motion data related to the vehicle are recorded within a first data storage medium associated with the vehicle-based computer system, and the data are further transmitted to a base station, to be stored in a second data storage medium. The location and motion data, which may include the vehicle's position, speed and direction, are selectively displayed on a display located within the vehicle, and also displayed at the base station. A user within the vehicle or personnel at the base station may produce reports containing the vehicle-specific data, and may further define geographic boundaries within which the vehicle is authorized to move. Alarm signals may be generated within the vehicle or at the base station if the vehicle moves beyond the boundary. | 11-13-2008 |
20080281519 | NAVIGATION DEVICE AND EVALUATION VALUE SETTING METHOD - The present invention provides a navigation device that improves the usability. The navigation device includes an evaluation setting unit that generates position information having first evaluation value by setting an evaluation value selected by a user so that the evaluation value corresponds to position information, a position information extraction unit that extracts, of the position information having the first evaluation value, the position information having the first evaluation value corresponding to the evaluation value desired by the user, and a display control unit that displays a position information screen having evaluation value on which the position information having the first evaluation value extracted by the position information extraction unit is reflected on a display unit. | 11-13-2008 |
20080281520 | POSITIONING SYSTEM AND RECEIVING TERMINAL USED THEREIN - In a positioning system, an arithmetic processor analyzes positioning data acquired by a receiving terminal and determines a positioning target location. Upon reception of positioning data, the arithmetic processor accumulates the positioning data on analysis data stored in a storage section prior to the reception, stores an accumulated data as new analysis data, and transmits an analysis result to the receiving terminal. The receiving terminal transmits positioning data, acquired for a predetermined time, to the arithmetic processor and continues to acquire positioning data. Upon reception of the analysis result, the receiving terminal determines whether the analysis result is good or poor. When the analysis result is poor and the positioning data is stored for the predetermined time from a last transmission of the positioning data, the receiving terminal transmits the positioning data to the arithmetic processor and continues to acquire positioning data. If the analysis result is good, the receiving terminal completes positioning of the positioning target location. | 11-13-2008 |
20080294340 | GENERIC OBJECT EXCHANGE PROFILE MESSAGE - In a method for generating a generic object exchange profile message, navigation data is inserted into the generic object exchange profile message. | 11-27-2008 |
20080294341 | Interactive route information transmitting and receiving device for two-wheel vehicle - An interactive route information transmitting and receiving device for two-wheel vehicle includes a route sensing unit, a microprocessor, a memory unit, and a wireless transceiver. The route sensing unit detects dynamic route coordinates of the two-wheel vehicle. The microprocessor receives the dynamic route coordinates detected by the route sensing unit and converts the dynamic route coordinates into route information. The memory unit stores the route information. The wireless transceiver is connected to the microprocessor for wirelessly transmitting the route information to other interactive devices and/or receiving route information transmitted by other interactive devices. | 11-27-2008 |
20080306687 | GPS assisted vehicular longitudinal velocity determination - A vehicle includes a GPS system and a longitudinal accelerometer. Accelerometer corrections are derived based on GPS velocity data. Individual wheel speeds are determined based on GPS velocity data. Longitudinal vehicle velocity may be determined based on accelerometer data or individual wheel speeds. | 12-11-2008 |
20080306688 | Positioning system for a movable object - A positioning terminal is disposed on a movable object, and includes a satellite-based positioning module, a detecting module, a processing module, and a wireless communication module. The positioning module receives satellite-transmitted signals and generates positioning data therefrom. The detecting module detects status of the movable object, and generates an alarm signal when an abnormal status is detected. The processing module includes a storage medium for storing the positioning data from the positioning module, and a processing unit for processing the positioning data stored in the storage medium and for outputting geographical information of the movable object. The processing unit further outputs alarm information based on the alarm signal. The wireless communication module is used to transmit the geographical information and the alarm information from the processing module. | 12-11-2008 |
20080319663 | Method for smart broadcasting of stop names - A method for smart broadcasting of stop names includes the steps of using a global positioning device to receive positioning signals transmitted from a satellite to obtain data of current vehicle geographic longitude and latitude coordinates and moving speed, and to compute a distance between the current vehicle position and a next stop based on the obtained current vehicle coordinates and moving speed data; and causing a microprocessor to use analyzed vehicle speed data to compute parameters for adjusting a predicted distance and the predicted distance, so that the microprocessor determines based on the predicted distance and the distance to the next stop whether a broadcasting device is to be actuated or not. Therefore, a mass transportation vehicle running on the same route at different hours in a day may automatically broadcast and timely inform passengers of the next stop name depending on the current vehicle moving speed. | 12-25-2008 |
20080319664 | Navigation aid - A method and apparatus for calculating exact positioning using a digital camera and a GPS, comprising calibrating the camera; initiating GPS navigation; capturing and storing images and GPS coordinates; calculating ego-motion of the camera using a pre-defined number of stored images; and calculating current position of the camera using the last stored GPS coordinates and the calculated camera ego-motion. | 12-25-2008 |
20080319665 | METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND APPARATUSES FOR CONSUMER TELEMATICS - Provided are methods, systems, and apparatuses for aftermarket telematics. In one aspect, provided is an apparatus comprising a telematics control unit configured for consumer installation, consumer use, and the like. The apparatus can be installed in a vehicle. In another aspect, provided are systems and methods for operation of the apparatus. | 12-25-2008 |
20080319666 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GEO-POSITIONING OF A MOBILE EQUIPMENT - A mobile gateway device collects geo-positioning and status data of a mobile equipment and transmits these data to a remote server via a wireless network and to a local device via a short range communication connection. The communications between the mobile gateway device and the server and between the mobile gateway device and the local device are via reliable guaranteed delivery full-duplex two-way communication channels. The system also includes one or more software applications. | 12-25-2008 |
20090005982 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR COLLECTING AND DISTRIBUTING DRIVING RELATED INFORMATION OR THE LIKE - An apparatus which collects, processes and distributes driving related information and a method for controlling the apparatus. The apparatus uses non-dedicated commercial wireless network and non-dedicated terminal device of the network. The network and the terminal device are not made or not meant for transmitting driving related information primarily. The method for transmitting driving related information, comprising steps of a) establishing in-vehicle communication between the non-dedicated terminal device and information collecting device, plus between the non-dedicated terminal device and information presenting device; b) establishing out-of-vehicle communication between the terminal device and information processing and distributing center; c) allowing vehicles to transmit driving related information to the center and vice versa. | 01-01-2009 |
20090005983 | PERSONAL GUIDE APPLICATION - Device, system, method and computer program for navigation assistance where the device receives location information related to at least one of its geographical locations, calculates the at least one geographical location of the device from the received location information, registers visual and/or sound data related to its at least one calculated geographical location. The device for navigation assistance further associates the at least one calculated geographical location with the registered visual and/or sound data in the form of a guided tour from its initial geographical location to a final geographical location and stores the guided tour in the form of a file onto a memory in the device for navigation assistance. | 01-01-2009 |
20090005984 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR TRANSIT PREDICTION - A transit predictor can be carried by a person or vehicle when attempting to travel through one or more traffic signals that repeatedly change state. The predictor has a data source with a navigational output indicating carrier location and a timing output indicating time. The transit predictor also has a processor with a memory. The processor can record in the memory a plurality of background data from the data source signifying (a) one or more carrier locations where data from the data source indicate the carrier was substantially stationary, and (b) one or more times when data from the data source indicate the carrier ceased being substantially stationary. The processor can algorithmically derive from the plurality of background data a predicted future event that will occur around a predicted time, at a location where, according to the background data, the carrier previously ceased being substantially stationary. | 01-01-2009 |
20090012708 | Personal navigation devices and related methods - A Personal Navigation Device (PND) includes: a Global Positioning System (GPS) module, a processing module, and a user interface module. The GPS module generates a current location value. The processing module, which is coupled to the GPS module, is utilized for comparing the current location value and a plurality of hint points. The user interface module, which is coupled to the processing module, provides a display device. When a difference between the current location value and any hint point is less than a first threshold, the display device displays stored real image data corresponding to the hint point. | 01-08-2009 |
20090018771 | DIVE COMPUTER INCORPORATING STORED DIVE SITE INFORMATION - Dive computers in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed that store information concerning a dive site. The stored information can be accessed during the dive to provide information concerning such things as points of interest and/or hazards. One embodiment of the invention includes a processor, memory connected to the processor, a pressure transducer connected to the processor and configured to measure depth, and a display connected to the processor. In addition, the memory contains factual information concerning a dive site, and the processor is configured to display at least a portion of the stored factual information concerning the dive site via the display. | 01-15-2009 |
20090030608 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR HIGH ACCURACY RELATIVE NAVIGATION - A relative navigation system and method are disclosed. The relative navigation system includes a first sensor unit responsive to a motion of a first position, a second sensor unit responsive to a motion of a second position, and a first processing unit associated with at least one of the first sensor unit and the second sensor unit and communicatively coupled to the first sensor unit and the second sensor unit. The first processing unit is configured to generate relative navigation solution information associated with first sensor unit information and second sensor unit information. | 01-29-2009 |
20090030609 | System and Method for Proactive Agenda Management - One embodiment provides a method, that may be implemented on a system for identifying a schedule of events for a first user, the schedule of events comprising of one or more of appointments and travel arrangements; identifying a current location of the first user relative to a scheduled location of the first user based on the schedule of events; in response to a divergence between a current location and a scheduled location, projecting a latency for one or more remaining scheduled events; and in response to the projected latency meeting or exceeding an identified amount, identifying priorities among remaining scheduled events and rescheduling one or more remaining scheduled events based on the identified priorities. | 01-29-2009 |
20090030610 | Supplemental powered information receiver - Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for a supplemental powered information receiver. A system includes a processor linked to a memory, the memory including at least a Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation process, a clock and internal timer linked to the processor, a programmable power source linked to the processor, and an information receiver module linked to the processor, the information receiver module receiving information when programmed to power up into a standby mode. | 01-29-2009 |
20090030611 | GPS Navigation Device With Car Rear-Viewing Function - A GPS navigation device with a car rear-viewing function is disclosed herein, which includes a monitor, a GPS navigation module receiving a GPS navigation information and providing it to the monitor, a car rear-viewing module providing a car rear image from a camera to the monitor, a switch unit, and a micro control unit. When the shift lever of the car is located in a reverse gear position, the micro control unit sends a switch command to the switch unit to allow the car rear-viewing module to transmit the car rear image to the monitor. In contrast, when the shift lever is not located in the reverse gear position, the monitor is switched to be controlled by the GPS navigation module for displaying the navigation information. Therefore, there is no need to install an additional monitor for displaying the GPS navigation information and the car rear image information, respectively. | 01-29-2009 |
20090037104 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR BLIND SPOT IDENTIFICATION AND WARNING UTILIZING PORTABLE AND WEARABLE DEVICES - A method for detecting and alerting a user of objects in their blind spots, includes: tracking movement and relative position of a user to one or more objects; determining a blind spot of the user; determining when at least one of the one or more objects occupies the blind spot of the user; and transmitting a signal to a user mobile device to perform an alarm operation when at least one of the one or more objects occupies the blind spot of the user. | 02-05-2009 |
20090043501 | METHOD, DEVICE, DEVICE ARRANGEMENT AND COMPUTER PROGRAM FOR TRACKING A MOVING OBJECT - The invention relates to a location method, a locating device, a locating arrangement and a computer program for tracking an object, such as a dog. The method utilises GPS locating, the event time of which may be controlled by the user. In addition, the user may define a data transmission network via which location data are primarily communicated to the tracker's device. By means of the frequency of measurements and the data transmission network used, the power consumption of the locating device of the object being tracked is minimised. | 02-12-2009 |
20090043502 | System and Method for Navigating Using Multiple Modalities - A system for navigating includes an interface operable to receive position information of a first modality. The position information of the first modality is associated with a navigation unit. The interface is further operable to receive position information of a second modality. The position information of the second modality is associated with the navigation unit. The system also includes a processor coupled to the interface and operable to identify a destination. The system is further operable to navigate to the destination based on the position information of the first and second modalities by switching between the first modality and the second modality. | 02-12-2009 |
20090043503 | Method and Device for Determining Protection Levels for Satellite Navigation Systems - A method and apparatus for determining protection levels in a satellite navigation system includes the following steps: (1) determining an integrity risk at the alert limit for a plurality of application situations—for example, starting from approaches in category I (Category I precision approach) up to the operation “oceanic enroute;” (2) determining an interval of the alert limits between the largest set of alert limits which produces too high an integrity risk, and the smallest set of alert limits which produces an acceptable integrity risk; and (3) carrying out an interval nesting for the interval of the alert limits that was determined in the previous step, the integrity risk between the horizontal and the vertical being divided in the same way as it is obtained from the relationship between these integrity risks in the largest set of alert limits. | 02-12-2009 |
20090043504 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LOCATING, TRACKING, AND/OR MONITORING THE STATUS OF PERSONNEL AND/OR ASSETS BOTH INDOORS AND OUTDOORS - A system and method for locating, tracking, and/or monitoring the status of personnel and/or assets (collectively “trackees”), both indoors and outdoors, is provided. Tracking data obtained from any number of sources utilizing any number of tracking methods (e.g., inertial navigation and signal-based methods) may be provided as input to a mapping application. The mapping application may generate position estimates for trackees using a suite of mapping tools to make corrections to the tracking data. The mapping application may further use information from building data, when available, to enhance position estimates. Indoor tracking methods including, for example, sensor fusion methods, map matching methods, and map building methods may be implemented to take tracking data from one or more trackees and compute a more accurate tracking estimate for each trackee. Outdoor tracking methods may be implemented to enhance outdoor tracking data by combining tracking estimates such as inertial tracks with magnetic and/or compass data if and when available, and with GPS, if and when available. | 02-12-2009 |
20090043505 | SYSTEMS, METHODS AND DEVICES FOR TRIP MANAGEMENT FUNCTIONS - Systems, methods, and devices for performing a trip management function are disclosed. A client computer accesses a server networked therewith to retrieve and store data, such as Web documents, relating to the trip. A wireless device interface allows a portable device, wirelessly coupled with a cellular telephone system with the network, to download the Web document. The portable device has cellular telephone functionality, geo-locating functionality, such as GPS capability, for determining its geo-location, and a processor for processing the Web document to help manage the trip. The Web document can include a set of map tiles, which encompass a particular geo-location area, and which form a dynamic map display. As the geo-location of the device changes, the next sequential map tile is downloaded and processed for displayed thereon. | 02-12-2009 |
20090048778 | Process for Determining Vehicle Position - Method for finding a vehicle ( | 02-19-2009 |
20090063049 | BICYCLE COMPUTER HAVING POSITION-DETERMINING FUNCTIONALITY - A bicycle computer having position-determining functionality is described. In an implementation, an apparatus includes a housing configured to attach to a bicycle. The apparatus has one or more modules to store training metrics of a user of the bicycle as a function of geographic position. | 03-05-2009 |
20090070037 | AUTOMATED NARRATION AND RECORDING FOR DRIVE EVENTS - Automatically presenting content to an occupant of a vehicle as the vehicle traverses a route (e.g., during a test drive or other drive event). Content items are associated with data tags placed throughout the route. A data tag reader on the vehicle reads each data tag as the vehicle traverses the route, and the content item associated with the read data tag is presented to the occupant of the vehicle. In an embodiment, audio and/or video of the occupant is captured and stored on a computing device remote from the vehicle. The captured audio and/or video represent feedback from the occupant during the drive event. | 03-12-2009 |
20090076726 | Transmission line data acquisition system - Acquiring structural defects and vegetation conditions on electric transmission lines and the right of way a touch screen laptop including memory capability associated with a GPS unit. Operating the laptop off of store geographic coordinates of structures and acquiring such coordinates when desired. The touch screen has buttons corresponding to the conditions for entry to memory a record of conditions corresponding to that ascribed to the button. Capturing a structure for data entry when a preselected distance exists between the laptop and a structure and further programmed to enter into memory any condition entries through the touch screen, releasing when the distance is exceeded, and recording to memory all entries made during capture. Photos can be taken of a condition and a voice note can be generated for a condition, both being recorded in memory with condition entries and all indexed to the captured structure. The serial capture and release is paused to maintain the capture of a particular structure beyond the preselected distance is exceeded and stays on the currently captured structure. The system can accommodate single circuit lines and multiple circuit lines. The system can capture a voice note and a still photo relating to and of the condition detected and store in association with the entered defect. The system also includes the capability of locating support structures as in a survey through the operation to the laptop by the observer. The system will report to any asset management media. | 03-19-2009 |
20090082962 | Routing Drivers to Trailers Effectively - A method and apparatus for locating a specific asset using navigation technology or specific signaling capabilities. This system improves a driver's productivity by providing location information or signals to a driver to assist him in locating a specific trailer. An embodiment includes a system for navigating/routing drivers to their assigned trailer, using GPS, and Navigation technology. Another embodiment includes an audio and/or visual signal from a specific trailer activated by a driver seeking the location of the specific trailer. | 03-26-2009 |
20090082963 | VEHICLE LOCATOR - A location apparatus for guiding a user to a location, including: a system unit configured to determine a current location using radio signals; a user interface unit having a display area and a button; a memory unit; a processor configured store a first location in the memory unit in response to receiving a signal from a vehicle indicating that an engine of the vehicle is off, and a computational unit configured to interact with the button, wherein the computation unit retrieves a second location from the system unit and calculates a relative three-dimensional direction from the second location to the first location upon selection of the second button by the user, wherein the relative three-dimensional direction is graphically represented on the display area of the user interface unit. | 03-26-2009 |
20090082964 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING PRODUCTION OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS - In harvesting an agricultural product from a field to allow for later identification of a specific section of field where the harvesting occurred, harvest source information is inputted. A first Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinate corresponding to a first location in the specific section of field is captured. The agricultural product is harvested from the first location to a second location in the specific section of field. The harvested agricultural product is stored in a set of containers. A second GPS coordinate corresponding to the second location is captured. A unique Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) value is associated to each container of the set of containers to create a set of RFID values. The source information, the first GSP coordinate, and the second GPS coordinate are associated to the set of RFID values. | 03-26-2009 |
20090082965 | Hard disk system and program for same - An in-vehicle apparatus includes a position detector, a hard disk drive, a display, a speaker, an operation switch, a non-volatile memory, and a control unit. When it is determined that a current vehicle position is a low precision position where GPS signals cannot be received by the apparatus, an estimated travel range of a vehicle is set, and an operation of the hard disk drive is stopped in case that the estimated travel range is at least partially overlapping with a high-altitude area. | 03-26-2009 |
20090088973 | Commuter Route Learning - A commuter route learning program learns a telematics subscriber's common travel routes (e.g. work-home, home-school, etc.) and offers traffic reports based on the routes. In one aspect, three modes are used to establish routes and offer traffic reports. These modes include a Learn Mode during which the commuter route learning program learns new commuter trips, a Pattern Recognition Mode during which the commuter route learning program recognizes and categorizes routes from patterns of trips, and an Execution Mode during which the commuter route learning program automatically provides commuter route traffic congestion information to a subscriber. | 04-02-2009 |
20090088974 | Vehicle Compass Using Telematics Unit and Vehicle Sensor Information - A software compass used during a GPS outage calculates vehicle heading and presents it upon request. The software compass gathers information from a yaw rate sensor, wheel steering angle sensor, wheel speed sensor, and PRNDL gear position sensor to calculate vehicle heading using a weighting algorithm. Because the yaw rate sensor data is a central factor in calculating vehicle heading, the quality of calibration of the yaw rate sensor is of importance. The disclosed calibration algorithm calculates the yaw rate bias and scale factors to calibrate the yaw rate sensor. | 04-02-2009 |
20090093956 | Transmitting location data in wireless networks - A wireless access point in a wireless network that may be adapted to transmit location data indicating its location to other devices within range, including other wireless access points and client devices. In some embodiments of the invention, the location data may be embedded in a control message or announcement transmission transmitted by the wireless access point, or other message conventionally used to broadcast network characteristics necessary for a client device to establish a connection to the wireless access point. In terms of the Open Systems Interconnect (OSI) layered model of a network, layer 2 control messages, including beacons, probe responses, or other suitable transmissions may be used for control messages or announcement transmissions. The other wireless access points and client devices may receive the location data broadcast by the wireless access point without establishing a connection to the client device. Devices receiving the location data may use the received location data to determine their own locations, and may provide the determined locations to consumers of location data. | 04-09-2009 |
20090093957 | NAVIGATION DEVICE WITH POWER SAVING MECHANISM AND METHOD THEREOF - A navigation device with power saving mechanism and method thereof are provided. The navigation device includes a global positioning system (GPS) receiver, a first processing unit, a second processing unit and a sound playing unit. The GPS receiver produces a longitude-latitude information by receiving a satellite signal from the GPS. The first processing unit switches from a first mode to a second mode according to a control signal. Then, the first processing unit is disabled after switching. When the second processing unit is enabled, a direction information and a distance information are generated by comparing the longitude-latitude information with a destination information. The sound playing unit selects two frequencies among a plurality of navigation frequencies according to the direction information and the distance information, and plays the tone signals which are comprised of the two frequencies in sequence. | 04-09-2009 |
20090099772 | Augmented navigation system and method of a moving object - In an augmented navigation method of a moving object, an error model capable of outputting calibrated data is created according to global positioning system (GPS) data and inertial detecting data when an object is moving. When the moving object enters an invisible region, the calibrated data and the inertial detecting data are combined together to generate an estimated position. In order to achieve the method, an augmented navigation system is provided. The augmented navigation system includes a front platform for receiving the GPS data and generating the inertial detecting data. The GPS data and the inertial detecting data may be transmitted to a rear platform through a wireless network. The error model is disposed on the front platform or the rear platform, and the rear platform has an estimator capable of combining the calibrated data outputted from the error model with the inertial detecting data to generate the estimated position. | 04-16-2009 |
20090105950 | Real-Time Location Information System Using Multiple Positioning Technologies - Systems, methods and computer program products for tracking objects in an area of interest are described. According to an embodiment, an object is tracked as follows. First position information relating to the object is received from a first sensor and translated to a coordinate system of a map. The object is displayed on the map in accordance with the translated first position information. Second position information relating to the object is received from a second sensor, where the second sensor is based on a second positioning technology different from the first positioning technology. The second position information is translated to the coordinate system of the map, and the object is displayed on the map in accordance with the translated second position information. In an embodiment, other information relating to the object is also received from sensors. | 04-23-2009 |
20090112469 | PERSONAL NAVIGATION SYSTEM - There is provided a personal navigation system, including a head-mounted orientation sensor, a coordinate position sensor, a head-mounted display, and a processor receiving an input from the head-mounted orientation sensor and an input from the coordinate position sensor and providing a visually sensible output for displaying on the head-mounted display. | 04-30-2009 |
20090112470 | Navigation apparatus and method for monitoring vehicle safety - A navigation apparatus including a central processing unit, an imaging module, a GPS module, a tire pressure monitoring module, and a storage module is provided. The imaging module captures an image signal. The central processing unit controls the imaging module to capture the image signal for generating image data, and further stores the image data in the storage module. The central processing unit executes the electronic map software stored in the storage module and receives the positional data generated by the GPS module for generating route guidance. The central unit receives the digital tire pressure signal received by the tire pressure monitoring module to generate tire pressure data and further identifies whether or not the tire pressure data is in compliance with a safety value. | 04-30-2009 |
20090119014 | NAVIGATION SYSTEM FOR ALERTING DRIVERS OF NEARBY VEHICLES - A navigation system having a transceiver configured to receive a first GPS location signal corresponding to a geographic location of the navigation system and a second GPS location signal corresponding to a geographic location of a vehicle, a processor operatively coupled to the transceiver, the processor configured to determine a relative distance of the navigation system from the vehicle based on the first GPS location signal and the second GPS location signal, and a user interface operatively coupled to the processor, the user interface provides an alert at a predetermined distance from the vehicle. | 05-07-2009 |
20090132164 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INTELLIGENT TURNING OF KALMAN FILTERS FOR INS/GPS NAVIGATION APPLICATIONS - Disclosed is a reinforcement learning technique for online tuning of integration filters of navigation systems needing a priori tuning parameters, such as Kalman Filters and the like. The method includes receiving GNSS measurements from the GNSS unit of the navigation system; and IMU measurements from IMU of the navigation system. The method further includes providing a priori tuning parameters to tune the integration filter of the navigation system. The method further includes processing the GNSS and IMU measurements using the tuned integration filter to compute a position estimate and updating the a priori turning parameters based on the computer position estimate. | 05-21-2009 |
20090138196 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF VEHICULAR WIRELESS COMMUNICATION USING AN INTEGRATED COORDINATING ACCESS POINT - A system and method of vehicular wireless communication over a Dedicated Short Range Communication service band is provided. The system includes a vehicle having a navigation means, a processor, and a communication means for transmitting a message via a wireless communications link. The system includes a control channel for communicating a safety communication and a service channel for communicating a non-safety communication. The control channel is subdivided into a contention-free period having a group management interval, a service announcement interval and a safety exchange interval and a contention period having a non-safety service interval. The system further includes an integrated coordinating access point that operates in both the control channel and service channel. The method includes the steps of determining if the vehicle is within communications range of the region, determining if the vehicle is registered with the access point, and if the vehicle is within the communications range of integrated coordinating access point, determining if a current time is within the safety exchange interval, and transmitting the safety communication by each registered vehicle during the safety exchange interval at the predetermined time for each registered vehicle. The method further includes the steps of determining if the safety communication exchange by every registered vehicle is completed, and permitting the vehicle to leave the control channel if the safety communication exchange is complete, and determining if a current time is within a contention period, and transmitting the non-safety communication if the current time is within the contention period. | 05-28-2009 |
20090138197 | System And Method Of Vehicular Wireless Communication Using A Group Manager - A system and method of vehicular wireless communication over a Dedicated Short Range Communication service band is provided. The system includes a vehicle having a navigation means, a processor, and a communication means for transmitting a message via a wireless communications link. The system includes a control channel for communicating a safety message and a service channel for communicating a non-safety message. The control channel is subdivided into a contention-free period having a safety exchange interval and a contention period having a non-safety service interval. The system further includes a dedicated group manager that partitions the vehicles into groups. The method includes the steps of determining if the vehicle is within communications range of the region, determining if the vehicle is registered with the group manager, if the vehicle is within the communications range of the group manager, determining if a current time is within the safety exchange interval, and transmitting the safety communication by each registered vehicle during the safety exchange interval at the predetermined time for each registered vehicle. The method further includes the steps of determining if the safety communication exchange by every registered vehicle is completed, and permitting the vehicle to leave the control channel if the safety communication exchange is complete, and determining if a current time is within a contention period, and transmitting the non-safety communication if the current time is within the contention period. | 05-28-2009 |
20090138198 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SHARING THE LANDMARK INFORMATION OF THE LOCATION SERVICE USING A JAVA RECORD MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IN A WIRELESS COMMUNICATION TERMINAL - A method and an apparatus for sharing landmark information of a location service in a wireless communication terminal are provided. The method includes obtaining location information in a JAVA application and storing the landmark information based the location information using a backup database format in a file system region. | 05-28-2009 |
20090143982 | Method For Operating A Navigation Device - A method for operating a navigation device that includes an input device for inputting operator commands and/or locations, particularly starting points and/or destinations, a road network database, a route calculation unit for calculating a planned route with consideration of the locations and the road network database, wherein the route leads from the starting point to the destination, a signal receiving unit for receiving position signals, particularly GPS signals, a position determining unit that determines the current position based on the position signals, and a voice output module that is able to generate and acoustically output a voice message, particularly maneuvering instructions, in dependence on predetermined boundary conditions by combining at least two voice message elements, wherein the voice message elements to be combined are analyzed prior to the acoustic output of the voice message, and wherein the voice message is changed in accordance with predetermined prioritization rules depending on the result of the analysis. | 06-04-2009 |
20090150074 | 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 pseudo-range measurements derived from the plurality of signals, determine an error covariance matrix for a main navigation solution using ionospheric-delay data, and, using a solution separation technique, determine at least one protection level value based on the error covariance matrix. | 06-11-2009 |
20090171583 | GLOBAL POSITION SYSTEM (GPS) USER RECEIVER AND GEOMETRIC SURFACE PROCESSING FOR ALL-IN-VIEW COHERENT GPS SIGNAL PRN CODES ACQUISITION AND NAVIGATION SOLUTION - A method and system for enabling a more robust detection, acquisition and positioning solution capability for a GPS device. The system and method uses GPS satellite ranging signals based on a simultaneous, all-in-view coherent PRN code signal processing scheme, rather than acquisition of GPS signals one at a time, in order to predict a location of a GPS user receiver. Additionally, image processing techniques, ultra-tight coupling processing techniques, or a combination thereof, are used to further enhance accuracy in determining the location of the user receiver. Signal processing techniques are used to determine the location of the GPS user receiver when no GPS satellite ranging signals can be individually detected, or when only one or two strong GPS satellite ranging signals can be individually detected in weak signal environments, jamming conditions, and a combination thereof. | 07-02-2009 |
20090171584 | System and Method for Accessing a Navigation System - A user interface is provided as part of a navigation system's user interface that comprises a plurality of screens. An access screen selector is made available in multiple ones of the screens of the navigations system's user interface, which access screen selector corresponds to an access screen. The access screen is displayed as part of the user interface in response to user selection of the access screen selector. The access screen comprises one or more access selection items. Selection of at least one of the of at least one of the access selection items causes the navigation system to perform a search of geographic information to identify a search result using search criteria that can vary from one search to another. | 07-02-2009 |
20090177394 | METHOD TO IDENTIFY THE VESSEL A CONTAINER IS LOADED ON - A method and system for determining which vessel a container is loaded on. Independent location information received from the container and a vessel is compared to determine a distance between the vessel and the container. If the distance is within the length of the vessel, the container is loaded on the vessel. | 07-09-2009 |
20090177395 | Navigation device and method - A method of determining the position of a navigation device when only relatively poor GPS signals are available is described, together with a navigation device capable of determining its current location in such conditions. The method comprises the steps of receiving a plurality of GPS signals from a plurality of GPS satellites, determining range information from timing information forming part of said signals, together with identification information, specific to each of said satellites, attempting to receive and store the entire ephemeris data payloads additionally forming part of each said signals and being specific to each of said satellites. | 07-09-2009 |
20090177396 | Navigation device and method - A method of correcting map data stored on a portable navigation device or navigation system is described, together with an appropriately enabled device or navigation system. A computer program enabling the method is also described. The method includes the steps of displaying map data on a PND or navigation system during a navigation or free-driving mode, and is characterized in that at least one of a plurality of user-selectable graphical indicators is displayed together with said map data adjacent or overlaid on the particular thoroughfare along which the device is currently traveling, the indicator graphically representing a travel restriction pertinent to one of either the current thoroughfare or a subsequent thoroughfare occurring after a thoroughfare intersection towards which the current thoroughfare leads. | 07-09-2009 |
20090177397 | Method And Apparatus For Distribution Of Positional Information - A method and apparatus collect and distribute geographic information for the purposes of securing marketing information such as real estate information selected by reference to geographic information. The method includes a transmission of audio information such as DTMF tones by electromagnetic signals such as Bluetooth™ from a position information acquiring device to a wireless device for communicating the request for marketing information to a server. The method and apparatus provide for an inexpensive method of commanding a wireless device to retrieve marketing information selected according to geographic position of a user seeking such information without having to modify or manipulate most commercially available wireless devices. | 07-09-2009 |
20090192708 | Method and system for estimating step length pedestrian navigation system - A method and system for estimating a step length in a pedestrian navigation system is provided. The method of estimating a step length in a pedestrian navigation system includes calculating a walking frequency and an acceleration variance of a pedestrian by using acceleration data acquired from an acceleration sensor, calculating a walking distance of the pedestrian by using GPS data acquired from a GPS receiver, and estimating a step length of the pedestrian by using the calculated walking frequency, acceleration variance, and walking distance. | 07-30-2009 |
20090198444 | Method for Deriving Conversion Coefficient Used for Specifying Position from Value Detected by Various Sensors, and Navigation Apparatus - A position measuring unit measures measurement data including at least a movement velocity, an accuracy reduction index, and an azimuth on the basis of a signal received from a satellite. A determining unit for a distance determines validity of measurement data and determines whether to derive a distance conversion coefficient using the measurement data determined valid. When the deriving is determined, a distance conversion coefficient calculator derives a distance conversion coefficient. A determining unit for an angular velocity determines an effective range for an integration value of an output value from an angular velocity sensor over a predetermined period on the basis of a movement velocity included in measurement data, and determines whether to derive an angular velocity conversion coefficient on the basis of the effective range and the integration value of the output values over the predetermined period. When the deriving is determined, an angular velocity conversion coefficient calculator derives an angular velocity conversion coefficient. | 08-06-2009 |
20090204322 | GPS DEVICE AND METHOD FOR REDUCING LIGHT EMITTED BY DISPLAY - The present invention provides a method for converting display of information on a GPS device between a first display mode and a second display mode by “negativizing” pixels or other image elements, wherein negativizing entails converting lighter image elements to darker image elements and converting darker image elements to lighter image elements so as to result in reduced total emission of light. | 08-13-2009 |
20090210155 | AUTOMOTIVE ENTERTAINMENT, COMMUNICATION, NAVIGATION AND CONTROL CENTER - Apparatus for automotive entertainment, navigation, communication and control, including a plurality of radio, TV, video and audio inputs, a video and audio output, a plurality of wireless communication channels, and a plurality of receivers, transceivers and processing units. | 08-20-2009 |
20090216444 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING THE POSITION OF AN UNDERWATER VEHICLE - A system and a method are provided for determining the position of an underwater vehicle while the vehicle is operating underwater. A buoyant float stays on or near the surface of the water and is attached to the vehicle by thin tether that can include insulated wires. The vehicle moves under the water and pulls the float behind it. The float can receive a localization signal, such as a signal indicating its GPS position, and so can determine its position precisely. The position can be transmitted to the underwater vehicle over the wires located in the tether. The underwater vehicle can use sensors and/or calculations to determine the positional offset of the vehicle from the float buoy and generates its true position based on the known position of the float and the positional offset. The float can be constructed with attributes that will allow the float it operate with a greater tether length, and in turn allow the underwater vehicle to operate at greater depths. The float may also generally carry a radio system for high speed communication of signals from the vehicle while the vehicle is submerged. | 08-27-2009 |
20090216445 | INTEGRATED SATELLITE NAVIGATION SYSTEM, NAVIGATION INTERFACE, AND METHOD FOR NAVIGATION INFORMATION DISPLAY - An integrated satellite navigation system is disclosed. The system comprises a navigation satellite device and a head up display. The navigation satellite device generates navigation information. The head up display retrieves the navigation information from the navigation satellite device and projects a navigation interface using a projection device thereof to display the navigation information. | 08-27-2009 |
20090216446 | SYSTEMS, APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR DELIVERY OF LOCATION-ORIENTED INFORMATION - An augmented reality guiding system for delivery of location-oriented information, including a location server, a database coupled to the location server, and at least one mobile locating device. The database is configured to receive, store, customize and send target information relating to target points of interest. Each mobile locating device has a geographical positioning module configured to determine location information for that locating device, an imaging module configured to capture at least one image of at least some of a field of vision for that locating device, a spatial orientation detection module configured to determine spatial information of that locating device, a display module configured to provide visual feedback, and at least one wireless communication module configured to communicate with the location server. Each mobile locating device is configured to be able to receive target information relating to at least one target points of interest from the location server, and based on the target information and the location information and spatial information for that locating device, display the target information relating to the target point of interest by visually augmenting the at least one captured image on the display module. | 08-27-2009 |
20090216447 | POSITION CALCULATION METHOD AND POSITION CALCULATION SYSTEM - A position calculation method includes storing navigation data at a given reference date as reference navigation data corresponding to the reference date, transmitting the reference date to request a server that provides navigation data to transmit latest differential navigation data that indicates a difference between the navigation data at the reference date and latest navigation data, receiving the latest differential navigation data from the server, and calculating a position by performing given positioning calculations based on the latest differential navigation data received from the server and the reference navigation data. | 08-27-2009 |
20090248301 | POSITION ESTIMATION FOR NAVIGATION DEVICES - A method of providing position estimation with a navigation device comprises periodically recording magnetic field strength of an area substantially surrounding a navigation device as a user of the navigation device traverses a select pathway. The method combines the recorded magnetic field strength with measurements from at least a dead reckoning portion of the navigation device to provide position estimates along the select pathway. The method further corrects each of the position estimates from a starting position on the select pathway, where each of the corrected position estimates have an error value below one or more previous position estimates and any intervening positions between each of the one or more previous position estimates and the starting position, with the error value corresponding to an error threshold based on the previous position estimates. | 10-01-2009 |
20090248302 | ESTABLISHING WIRELESS NETWORKING BETWEEN A VEHICLE AND DEALERSHIP USING GPS LOCATION INFORMATION - A method and apparatus which enables a vehicle to establish a wireless network connection to a dealership. Upon the vehicle discovering a dealership wireless node, the vehicle obtains dealership GPS coordinates and compares them to the vehicle's own GPS data to determine whether the vehicle is on the dealership's premises. If so, a WiFi connection is established. If not, the wireless node is ignored. | 10-01-2009 |
20090254274 | NAVIGATION SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING CELESTIAL AND TERRESTRIAL INFORMATION - A device for viewing celestial and terrestrial data having a housing with a reference axis, a database disposed in the housing and containing celestial and terrestrial data, a GPS receiver operatively coupled to the database and configured to receive a GPS signal, a processor operatively coupled to the GPS receiver and the database and configured to determine a user's location from the GPS signal, a sensor operatively coupled to the processor and adapted to provide the processor with a rotational angle representing the orientation of the housing relative to the reference axis, and a display unit operatively coupled to the processor and displays celestial and/or terrestrial data to the user corresponding to the rotational angle of the housing. | 10-08-2009 |
20090254275 | Systems and Methods for Monitoring Navigation State Errors - Systems and methods for monitoring navigation state errors are provided. In this regard, a representative system, among others, includes a receiver that is configured to receive GPS signals and calculate pseudorange (PR) residuals, the receiver including a navigation state error manager that is configured to: calculate a distance traveled by the receiver having the PR residuals, determine whether a navigation state has errors based on the calculated PR residuals and calculated distance, and responsive to determining that the navigation state has errors, send an error message indicating that the navigation state has errors. | 10-08-2009 |
20090254276 | Method and computer-readable storage medium with instructions for processing data in an internal navigation system - A method for processing data in an inertial navigation system having a Kalman filter and computer-readable storage medium containing instructions to configure a processor to perform the same. The method produces more accurate estimates of the position, velocity and attitude of the inertial measurement unit. The method is fully automatic and enables zero-velocity updates and fixed-azimuth updates to be performed simultaneously. The method may also include a multi-stage filtering process to filter digital compass data when used in an environment with extraterrestrial magnetic field sources. The method may also include a fixed-lag smoother to improve estimates of the position, velocity and attitude of the inertial measurement unit. The method also may include processes to constrain altitude errors. | 10-08-2009 |
20090254277 | Powered transmitter for railroad car applications - A system to report the position and/or measured conditions of a railroad car using satellite communication. The system includes a rechargeable power supply and communications unit incorporating one or more solar cells in combination with a rechargeable battery and further including a bank of ultracapacitors. The equivalent series resistance or “ESR” of the capacitor bank is substantially less than the ESR of the battery thereby allowing peak power demands to be filled by rapid dissipation of stored charge from the capacitor bank without substantial involvement of the battery under normal conditions. | 10-08-2009 |
20090259397 | NAVIGATION SYSTEM WITH TOUCHPAD REMOTE - To increase safety and convenience of use for navigation devices installed in automobiles, a navigation system includes the navigation device, a remote control, and a wired or wireless transceiver for establishing a data connection between the navigation device and the remote control. The navigation device has a housing, a display for displaying images, a GPS receiver for receiving GPS signals, and a processor coupled to the GPS receiver and the display for determining position according to the GPS signals and processing program code for controlling the display to display a graphical user interface. The remote control is external to the housing. | 10-15-2009 |
20090259398 | NAVIGATIONAL DIRECTION INDICATING DEVICE - A navigational direction-indicating device includes a Global Positioning System (GPS), a display unit, an activation control unit, a navigation software for generating a direction guidance instruction according to positioning signals received by the GPS, and a plurality of light emitting elements arranged proximate to the display unit. After the navigation software generates the direction guidance instruction, the activation control unit generates activation signals according to the direction guidance instruction and corresponding to the light emitting elements, respectively, so as for a corresponding one of the light emitting elements to emit light, thereby allowing a user to receive the guidance instruction efficiently. | 10-15-2009 |
20090265103 | Vehicle Navigation System with Internet Based Information Search Feature - A vehicle navigational system includes a processor generating a search query and transmitting a search query signal corresponding to the search query. A display unit receives the search query signal and displays a search query prompt in response to the search query signal. A user interface allows a user to enter search data into the processor in response to the search query prompt. A GPS communicator is communicatively coupled to the processor. The GPS communicator receives vehicle location data from a global positioning satellite and generates a vehicle location signal. A wireless communication device is communicatively coupled to the processor and allows the processor to communicate with the remote database. The processor initiates a search of the remote database based on the search data entered by user in response to the search query prompt, and based on the vehicle location signal. The processor receives results from the database and communicates the results to display unit for display. | 10-22-2009 |
20090271112 | DEDICATED SHORT RANGE COMMUNICATION (DSRC) SENDER VALIDATION USING GPS PRECISE POSITIONING TECHNIQUES - A system and method for authenticating a message transmitted in a vehicle-to-vehicle communications system. The sending vehicle will attach raw GPS data to a transmitted message it receives from GPS satellites that the sending vehicle uses to determine its own position. The transmitted message will also include the position of the sending vehicle that the sending vehicle has determined using the GPS data. The receiving vehicle will use the raw GPS data in the message and an RTK process to determine the position of the sending vehicle. The receiving vehicle will compare the position of the sending vehicle in the message with the position of the sending vehicle determined from the GPS data, and if they match, will authenticate the received message. | 10-29-2009 |
20090276154 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR COORDINATING GROUP TRAVEL AMONG MOBILE DEVICES - An approach is provided for coordinating travel. A plurality of mobile devices is identified as a group, wherein each of the mobile devices is configured to obtain location information. A lead mobile device is designated among the group. Routing information or information about a common destination, specified by the lead mobile device, is transmitted to other mobile devices in the group. | 11-05-2009 |
20090281729 | Integrated Mobile Terminal Navigation - A navigation system is described which includes a mobile terminal | 11-12-2009 |
20090287411 | System and Method for Managing Messages in a Network Data Processing System Using a Check-In Policy - The illustrative embodiments described herein provide a method, apparatus, and computer program product for managing messages in a network data processing system. In one illustrative embodiment, the process receives input associated with a set of check-in policy settings for a user of a first communication device. The process generates a check-in policy using the set of check-in policy settings. The process initiates a prompt on the first communication device to perform an action on the first communication device in response to the check-in policy. The process also determines whether the action is performed by the user. The process sends a notification to a second communication device. | 11-19-2009 |
20090287412 | Method and Apparatus for Transmitting Vehicle-Related Information In and Out of a Vehicle - A method for transmitting vehicle-related information in and out of a vehicle and an apparatus for carrying out the method are disclosed. The method includes the steps of (i) receiving location information via reception means for position finding, (ii) evaluating vehicle-related information and location information via means for coordinating an interaction between the communication means, the reception means and means for wireless radio networking, (iii) transmitting vehicle-related information and the location information to mobile terminals carried in the vehicle by wireless radio networking comprising one bi-directional communication link, and (iv) indicating the vehicle-related information and location information audibly, visually, haptically, or any combination thereof, within a reproduction unit in the mobile terminals. | 11-19-2009 |
20090292466 | NAVIGATION SYTEM FOR A VEHICLE - A vehicular rearview mirror-based navigation system includes a rearview mirror system, including an interior rearview mirror assembly, having an interior reflective element and interior mirror housing for the interior reflective element. The interior rearview mirror assembly further includes a scrolling display. The scrolling display displays scrolling driver informational messages on the scrolling display. The interior rearview mirror assembly may include a global-positioning system display receiving an output from a global-positioning system receiving system and displaying turn-by-turn information to a vehicle driver. | 11-26-2009 |
20090299628 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR POSITIONAL COMMUNICATION - Methods and systems for positional communication are described. In one embodiment, a plurality of electronic communications for a user may be accessed. Positional information associated with the user may be accessed. User interface data for the plurality of electronic communications may be provided based on the positional information. | 12-03-2009 |
20090299629 | PREVENTATIVE TRAFFIC CONGESTION SOCIAL NETWORKING IMPROVEMENT SYSTEM WITHIN A COMMUNITY - A method, system, and computer program product for transmitting traffic congestion routing data to a community of global positioning system (GPS) devices. Community routing logic of a community routing system (CRS) receives a route request containing the current location and desired destination of a GPS device. The CRS may use the community routing logic to determine a path that the user of the GPS device should travel on to best minimize driving time and traffic conditions for a community of users of the CRS. The CRS considers road capacity, current traffic conditions, and historical traffic data for roads and alternate roads along a preferred route. The CRS also considers routes previously taken by the GPS device. Additionally, the CRS may receive information about routes taken by other GPS devices to further improve future routes of the community of GPS devices. | 12-03-2009 |
20090306892 | OPTICAL DISTANCE VIEWING DEVICE HAVING POSITIONING AND/OR MAP DISPLAY FACILITIES - An optical distance viewing device has position and/or map display facilities that can be shown simultaneously with the optical view. The device includes a remote view acquisition module for acquiring a remote view; a location module for acquiring a location; a map module for generating a map in accordance with the acquired location; and an output module for outputting an image which shows the optical view together with the map, or current location co-ordinates or both. An enhancement projects the view onto a 3D map. | 12-10-2009 |
20090312947 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING ROUTES USING REAL-TIME PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION - A method and system are provided for providing a transportation route to a user terminal. Travel information is received at a route-generating unit from the user terminal. Public transportation information, including real-time public transportation information, is received at the route-generating unit from a public transportation information unit. One or more transportation routes are determined in accordance with the received travel information and the received public transportation information at the route-generating unit. The one or more transportation routes are transmitted from the route-generating unit to the user terminal. | 12-17-2009 |
20090319185 | Navigation device with global position system and navigation method thereof - A navigation device with a global position system (GPS) includes an information input module and a global position system module. The information input module includes an image fetching unit and an image recognition unit. The image fetching unit fetches a pattern of an external object to produce image data. The image recognition unit transfers the image data into input data. The global position system module receives location position data associated with a present location of the navigation device, and provides navigation information according to the location position data and the input data. | 12-24-2009 |
20090326816 | ATTITUDE CORRECTION APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR INERTIAL NAVIGATION SYSTEM USING CAMERA-TYPE SOLAR SENSOR - Disclosed herein is an attitude correction apparatus for an Inertial Navigation System (INS) using a camera-type solar sensor. The present invention relates to a system for correcting errors occurring in an inertial navigation system, in which inertial sensors, such as gyroscopes and accelerometers are combined with each other to calculate the attitude, velocity and position of an airplane, and to an apparatus for utilizing a sun-line of sight vector, generated by a camera-type solar sensor, that uses images of the moving sun, and the output value of the inertial navigation system, thus correcting the attitude of an airplane and the errors of sensors. The attitude correction apparatus of the present invention includes a camera-type solar sensor for detecting the sun, a signal processing unit for receiving and synchronizing information, and a data collection processing unit for performing post-processing on information, thus correcting an error. | 12-31-2009 |
20090326817 | ELECTRONIC SYSTEM WITH SATELLITE NAVIGATION AND DISPLAY THEREOF - An electronic system with a satellite navigation function and a display thereof are provided. The display of the electronic system is designed to be detachable and has a GPS module inside. In normal condition, the display is connected to a main body to be a common display. In another aspect, when the display is detached from the main body, the display may be used as a satellite navigation system on a vehicle independently. This makes use of the characteristic of the electronic system that the electronic system has a bigger display body. A user does not need to buy a satellite navigation system additionally, and the disadvantage that the display body of the satellite navigation system is so small that the characters are not easy to be recognized is overcome. | 12-31-2009 |
20100017125 | Enhanced Information Security System - An improved security system for monitoring passengers aboard vehicles in real time uses existing off-the-shelf computer technology and an associated GPS system and wireless Internet to enable peripheral devices capable of obtaining a variety of data aboard a vehicle and transmitting that data to a remote location, including a stationary location where the data can be monitored. The method connects power derived from the vehicle, with a wireless Internet and GPS enabled laptop to enable tracking of the vehicle. Additionally, peripheral devices including cameras, audio/visual displays and identification means are associated with the mobile laptop, enabling the system to track individual passengers aboard the vehicle. | 01-21-2010 |
20100023262 | Driftline navigation system - A method for determining the drift vector in a watercraft and then graphically projecting an anticipated drift line for a specified target point. The inventive method is preferably carried out by modifying existing GPS plotters. The user initiates a drift vector determination. A memory device receiving positional data then records the starting position of the watercraft and an ending position of the watercraft a suitable amount of time later. The starting and ending points are then used to calculate a drift vector, which includes at least the orientation of the drift and preferably also information abut the speed of the drift. This information is stored in a memory device. A graphical display is used. At some point the user defines a target point, which is shown within the graphical display. The drift vector information is retrieved from memory and a drift line is projected from the target point in a direction which is 180 degrees away from the direction of the drift vector. The user can then maneuver onto the projected drift line, with the knowledge that if the watercraft is allowed to drift at that point, it will drift over the target point. | 01-28-2010 |
20100036610 | METHOD AND ARRANGEMENT FOR REDUCING CRIMINAL RISK TO AN OVERLAND TRANSPORT - In navigation systems and methods thereof and, more particularly, navigation systems and methods for vehicles and, even more particularly, navigation systems and methods that reduce/minimize the incidence criminal activity during transport of cargo along a route a method is provided for determining a trip route for travel including the following steps: (i) obtaining start point data for a start point; (ii) obtaining end point data for an end point; (iii) obtaining crime risk data for at least one point along a possible trip route between said start point and said end point; (iv) determining a portion of a safe trip route between said start point and said endpoint based on said crime risk data; and, (v) communicating said portion of said safe trip route via a navigation device. | 02-11-2010 |
20100036611 | TELEMATICS DEVICE AND METHOD FOR UPLOADING AND DOWNLOADING PERSONAL CAR DRIVE INFORMATION FILE - A method of controlling a navigation apparatus placed in a vehicle, and which includes acquiring actual drive information about the vehicle driving along a preset travel route to a target location, acquiring additional information about conditions related to the vehicle driving to the target location, and creating a personal car drive information file including the acquired actual drive information and the additional information. | 02-11-2010 |
20100042321 | NAVIGATION UNITS HAVING MULTIPLE OPERATION MODES FOR OUTPUTTING A CURRENT POSITION OR A STORED POSITION, RESPECTIVELY, AND METHODS AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR OPERATING THE SAME - A navigation unit includes a position mode module that is operable to place the navigation unit in a first mode in which the navigation unit provides for output a current position of the navigation unit or a second mode in which the navigation unit provides for output at least one stored position. | 02-18-2010 |
20100042322 | MODULAR NAVIGATION SYSTEM AND METHODS - Systems and methods are provided to generate positioning and orientation data for subjects disposed in stressed environments. In an illustrative implementation, a navigation module comprises an integration module and various sensors to determine the position and orientation of the user. In the illustrative implementation, the navigation module may cooperate with a larger navigation platform comprising a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver, inertial measurement unit (IMU), altimeter, magnetometer, pedometer, and an angular measuring device. Additionally, the illustrative integration module may comprise power and signal conditioning circuitry, a transceiver to send the position and orientation information to other cooperating components such as a monitoring device and integration software for use in processing the various sensor data. | 02-18-2010 |
20100049436 | UNDERSEA POSITION AND VELOCITY MEASURING SYSTEM AND PROCESS - This invention relates to a GPS navigation system comprised of a submerged vessel having a navigation processor associated via buoyant cable with a buoy having a GPS device; wherein the cable contains: a data link between the vessel and the GPS device; and a location device for the determination of the location of the cable to the vessel; and wherein the processor computes a GPS position relative to the vessel. The invention also relates to a navigation process comprising the steps of: attaching a cable between a buoy and a submerged vessel; providing a GPS data relative to the buoy and cable location data over the cable to the submerged vessel; and using the GPS position of the buoy and location data to compute the GPS position of the submerged vessel. | 02-25-2010 |
20100049437 | GPS DEVICE FOR DISPLAYING TRAFFIC CONDITIONS AND METHOD THEREOF - This present disclosure provides a GPS device for displaying traffic conditions and method thereof. The GPS device defines turn distance ranges according to GPS navigation information. When running into the defined turn distance range, the vehicle turns on a video device and turn signal lamps automatically, and displays the video feed provided by the video device. When passing by the defined turn distance range, the vehicle turns off the video device and the turn signal lamps automatically. | 02-25-2010 |
20100049438 | GPS DEVICE WITH VIDEO SECURITY FUNCTION AND METHOD THEREOF - This present disclosure provides a GPS device with a video security function and method for the same. The GPS device includes a communications unit to transmit communication data between the GPS device and at least one external video device, at least one motion sensing unit, the method includes steps of: detecting current motion state of a vehicle and obtaining sensing information; generating a first control signal to an external video device when a defined particular motion state is detected; transmitting the first control signal to turn on the video device through the communications unit; receiving the live feed provided by the video device; generating a second control signal to the video device, when the particular motion state is ended; and transmitting the second control signal to turn off the video device through the communication unit. | 02-25-2010 |
20100063732 | NAVIGATION COMMUNICATION WITH SELF-IDENTIFYING ELEMENTS - A navigation device includes a communication subsystem and a navigation subsystem. The communication subsystem communicates with a remote navigation database via a gateway using variable-size data payloads. Each variable-size data payload is accompanied by a content-identifier and a size-identifier. The navigation subsystem determines a current position of the navigation device and encodes the current position of the navigation device as one or more position payloads that are sent from the communication subsystem to the remote navigation database via the gateway. Each position payload is sent with an accompanying content-identifier and size-identifier. | 03-11-2010 |
20100063733 | Cellular Interferometer for Continuous Earth Remote Observation (CICERO) - A fleet of small spacecraft (“cells”) in low Earth orbit combine to form an integrated Earth observing system providing many observations previously requiring distinct sensing systems. Each cell performs a few relatively primitive functions, including emission, reception, sampling, and recording of radio and microwave signals. Each cell observes over a spherical field of view, samples the received signals independently at many small antenna elements, and stores the data from each element. Data from all cells are sent to a common location where they can be combined in diverse ways to realize a wide range of observing functions. These functions may include ionosphere and gravity field mapping; atmospheric radio occultation; ocean, ice, and land altimetry; ocean scatterometry; synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging; radar sensing of soil moisture, land cover, and geological surface properties; and interferometric SAR sensing of surface change. The system can also provide real-time messaging, navigation and surveillance functions. | 03-11-2010 |
20100076681 | DEAD RECKONING SYSTEM - In one embodiment, a system and method of dead reckoning navigation for a vehicle uses a set of accelerometers. Sensed accelerometers from the set are converted into a vehicle body frame of reference set of accelerations. The resulting converted accelerations are then used to determine a dead-reckoning longitudinal acceleration for the vehicle. By integrating the longitudinal acceleration along a heading for the vehicle, a dead-reckoning-determined location for the vehicle is provided. | 03-25-2010 |
20100088026 | LOCATION-AWARE SELECTION OF PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION - A mobile device such as a mobile phone, smart phone, personal music player, handheld game device and the like that is configured to be location-aware through GPS (Global Positioning System), cell tower positioning, or other means of determining location, is provided with a public transportation selector functionality that interfaces with one or more on-line public transportation schedule services. The public transportation selector passes the location of a user of the mobile device, the user's destination, and the targeted arrival time to the schedule services which responsively return information including, for example, station/stop location information, route identifier, departure and arrival times, and fare costs. The public transportation selector aggregates schedule information provided by the services for presentation to the user through a user interface on the mobile device. The user can then select the desired public transportation option and be provided with directions to the appropriate station or stop. | 04-08-2010 |
20100088027 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF AUTO-CALIBRATION OF INERTIAL SENSORS - A system comprises at least one inertial sensor operable to provide inertial sensor data during a trip; a processing unit coupled to the at least one inertial sensor, the processing unit operable to calculate navigation data based on the inertial sensor data and to estimate error in the inertial sensor data, wherein the processing unit is further operable to adjust subsequent inertial sensor data received during the trip from the at least one inertial sensor in order to compensate for the estimated error; and a memory coupled to the navigation unit and operable to store data between power cycles; wherein the processing unit is further operable to calculate a current trip error estimate from a plurality of error estimates during the trip and to estimate a repeatability error component based on the current trip error estimate and previous trip error estimates stored in the memory; wherein the repeatability error component is stored in the memory, the processing unit being further operable to update inertial sensor data during a subsequent trip based on the repeatability error component | 04-08-2010 |
20100088028 | ELECTRONIC APPARATUS AND POWER SUPPLY CONTROL PROGRAM FOR POSITION MEASURING - There is obtained a communication terminal and a position measuring power source control program capable of reducing power consumption associated with position measurement in relation to use of a position measuring system by a user. A CPU | 04-08-2010 |
20100088029 | Systems and methods for connecting and operating portable GPS enabled devices in automobiles - An electronic device that is operable to provide navigation information to a user by utilizing the navigation system of a separate mobile device, such as a GPS-enabled mobile phone. The electronic device includes a communication interface for communicating navigation data between the mobile device and the electronic device. The electronic device also includes a display for displaying the navigation data received from the mobile device. The display of the electronic device may be larger than the display of the mobile device, such that a driver of an automobile may use the electronic device to provide a more desirable viewing experience. Further, the electronic device may include a user interface, such as a touch screen, that allows a user to access and control the navigation functions of the mobile device. The electronic device may also be operable to communicate with other portable electronic devices. | 04-08-2010 |
20100094551 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GENERATING A ROUTE NAVIGATION DATABASE - A computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon a computer program including instructions, which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to acquire route data in a first format for a route, the route data comprising a plurality of route parameters for a plurality of route locations. The computer is further programmed to re-format the acquired route data in the first format into a second format different from the first format, filter the reformatted route data into a route dataset having a lesser number of route locations than the number of route locations in the acquired route data, and to store the route dataset in computer memory. | 04-15-2010 |
20100094552 | MOBILE WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE COMPRISING A SATELLITE POSITIONING SYSTEM ANTENNA WITH ACTIVE AND PASSIVE ELEMENTS AND RELATED METHODS - A mobile wireless communications device may include a portable housing, at least one wireless transceiver carried by the portable housing, and a satellite positioning signal receiver carried by the portable housing. Moreover, a satellite positioning antenna may be carried by the portable housing. The satellite positioning antenna may include an active element connected to the satellite positioning signal receiver, and a passive element connected to a voltage reference and positioned in spaced apart relation from the active element and operatively coupled thereto for directing a beam pattern thereof. | 04-15-2010 |
20100094553 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR USING LOCATION DATA AND/OR TIME DATA TO ELECTRONICALLY DISPLAY DISPENSING OF MARKERS BY A MARKING SYSTEM OR MARKING TOOL - Information is electronically displayed relating to use of a marking system or a marking tool configured to dispense one or more markers to mark, on ground, pavement, or other surface, a location of an underground utility. Location data and/or time data relating to the use of the marking system or the marking tool are used to control a display device so as to visually display a dispensing of the one or more markers on an electronic representation of an area that is marked and includes the location of the underground utility. | 04-15-2010 |
20100100320 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING A SATELLITE NAVIGATION RECEIVER - A satellite navigation receiver having multiple operation states includes a processing unit and a power management interface. The processing unit is operable for locating the satellite navigation receiver based on multiple satellite signals and operable for setting multiple time durations of the operation states respectively based on a velocity of the satellite navigation receiver. The power management interface coupled to the processing unit is operable for switching the satellite navigation receiver among the operation states according to the time durations. | 04-22-2010 |
20100106413 | CONFIGURABLE VEHICULAR TIME TO STOP WARNING SYSTEM - A method is provided for determining when to issue an alert warning to a driver of a vehicle relating to an upcoming stopping location in a road of travel. Wireless messages transmitted from a remote entity to the vehicle are received. The messages contain information such as position data and other data affecting stopping of the vehicle. GPS data relating to instantaneous vehicle position in the road of travel is retrieved. A travel time until the vehicle reaches the stopping location is determined. A determination is made whether the driver has initiated braking. An advance notice period is determined for issuing a warning to the driver to decelerate the vehicle comprising the travel time plus a predetermined reaction time plus a selectable driver configured increment. A sensory warning to the driver of the vehicle is actuated if the advance notice period is less than the travel time and the driver has not initiated braking. | 04-29-2010 |
20100106414 | METHOD OF PERFORMING ROUTING WITH ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE - A method of performing routing in a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) navigation device incorporates user preferences determined through driving habits of the user. The GNSS navigation device stores a driving history, namely a plurality of route segments corresponding to maneuvers of a driver. The GNSS navigation device then determines which route segments of the plurality of route segments the user prefers based on the driving history. When generating a route, the GNSS navigation device then includes the preferred route segment. | 04-29-2010 |
20100106415 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ANALYZING A ROUTE LOCATION - A system and method for analyzing a route location is provided. The system has a position determining system for identifying a route location, a data measurement system on a machine for obtaining a route parameter at the route location at a first time and a route parameter at the route location at a second time; a data storage system for storing the route parameters; and a comparator for detecting a change in the route parameters over time. | 04-29-2010 |
20100106416 | AIRCRAFT NAVIGATION USING THE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM, INERTIAL REFERENCE SYSTEM, AND DISTANCE MEASUREMENTS - A navigation technique for a vehicle employs an inertial reference system to derive a first position indication and a first velocity value. A first receiver processes signals of a global positioning system from which a second position indication and a second velocity value are derived. A second receiver processes signals from a plurality of distance measuring equipment stations at fixed positions on the earth and determines the distance between the vehicle and each of those stations. A third position indication is derived from those distances. A Kalman filter function is applied to the first, second and third position indications and to the first and second velocity values to compensate for uncertainty in the first position indication and in the first velocity value and thereby produce a vehicle position estimate and a vehicle velocity estimate. | 04-29-2010 |
20100106417 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IDENTIFYING A TRAJECTORY FOR EACH VEHICLE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT - A method for identifying a trajectory for each vehicle involved in an accident. The method begins by plotting on a Cartesian Coordinate Plane GNSS locations corresponding to a vehicle involved in the accident. Next, the method identifies GNSS locations on the Cartesian Coordinate Plane where the vehicle was speeding. Next, the method marks those GNSS locations on the Cartesian Coordinate Plane where the vehicle involved in the accident was skidding. The process of plotting and identifying speeding as well as skidding is repeated for all vehicles involved in the accident. The Cartesian Coordinate plane then having all vehicle trajectories residing therein is sent to an output device. | 04-29-2010 |
20100114486 | COMPUTER SYSTEM AND CONTROL METHOD FOR RECEIVING SATELLITE POSITIONING SIGNAL AT POWER-OFF STATE - A computer system is operative to receive a satellite positioning signal at a system power-off state. The computer system includes a power supply device, a satellite positioning chip, a communication interface, a control chip and an actuation element. The power supply device provides an operation voltage. The satellite positioning chip receives the satellite positioning signal through an antenna. The communication interface electrically connects with the satellite positioning chip and the control chip. The control chip receives the operation voltage, supplies source voltage to the satellite positioning chip, and retrieves and processes the satellite positioning signal through the communication interface. The actuation element electrically connects with the control chip. When the computer system is triggered by the actuation element under the system power-off state, the control chip supplies source voltage to the satellite positioning chip, so as to retrieve and process the satellite positioning signal. | 05-06-2010 |
20100125413 | EXTERNAL GYROSCOPE AND METHOD OF USING THE SAME TO ASSIST IN NAVIGATION AND POSITIONING - An external gyroscope is connectable to a navigator of any type to assist in navigation and positioning. The navigator has at least one first connector. The external gyroscope includes a mini-gyroscope adapted to generate angular displacement and acceleration data, a second connector for correspondingly connecting to the first connector, and a control unit. The control unit acquires the angular displacement and acceleration data and then directly transmits the same to the navigator. Alternatively, the control unit calculates the acquired angular displacement and acceleration data to generate a positioning signal for a next position, and then transmits the positioning signal to the navigator. A method of using the external gyroscope to assist a navigator in navigation and positioning is also provided. | 05-20-2010 |
20100131199 | GPS navigation code system - A GPS navigation code device has GPS features and easy address retrieval means built in, enabling a driver to retrieve and request directions to an address without taking his eyes off the road. The user pre-programs the GPS navigation code device with a plurality of addressees or points of interest and assigns unique navigation codes for each. The navigation code is entered using keyboard or recorded speech pattern. The processor in the GPS navigation code device records address, navigation code and speech pattern in three linked databases. While driving, the user presses a special address search mode key and inputs the unique navigation code by keyboard or speech pattern. The GPS navigation code device displays the address and the user accepts the displayed address by pressing special key. The GPS navigation code device then calculates and displays directions to the address, and provides additional guidance by speech on a turn-by-turn basis. | 05-27-2010 |
20100131200 | GUIDING POSITIONING METHOD, POSITIONING DEVICE AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT - A method in which location information and bearing of the user of a positioning device are determined based on signals sent by positioning satellites. The user is instructed to act in a suitable way when the bearing is being determined. The method further determines a confidence parameter that indicates the reliability of the communicated bearing and is communicated to the user simultaneously with the bearing. The confidence parameter enables the user to estimate whether or not the communicated bearing information can be trusted. The confidence parameter can be determined from the number of positioning satellites connected to the satellite receiver and the determined traveling speed of the user of the positioning device, or from the dilution of precision provided by the GPS system. The confidence parameter gets a value “good”, when an equation is true, and a value “bad”, when the equation is false. | 05-27-2010 |
20100138155 | NOTEBOOK COMPUTERS WITH INTEGRATED SATELLITE NAVIGATION SYSTEMS - A notebook computer can receive a satellite navigation system (SNS) signal from satellites and realize a navigation function. The notebook computer includes a navigation device, a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus and a CPU. The navigation device is used for receiving the SNS signal and generating an intermediate frequency (IF) signal by down-converting a frequency of the SNS signal. The PCI bus coupled to the navigation device is used for transmitting the IF signal. The CPU is coupled to the navigation device via the PCI bus and is for reading and processing the IF signal to output a position, velocity and time (PVT) information signal for the notebook computer to realize the navigation function. | 06-03-2010 |
20100138156 | User Interactive GPS Locating Device - According to aspects described herein, there is disclosed a method of providing location information for use with a global positioning system. The method includes outputting a locating query for entry of a pair of location codes. Each location code includes no more than 5 alphanumeric characters. Also, each location code is a number based on a numbering system using a value greater than 10 to determine place value. The method also includes translating the location codes into first location information for use with a global positioning system. The first location information includes geographic location identification, an address for the geographic location, directions to the geographic location and/or immediate routing information representing at least a portion of the directions. The method also includes outputting the first location information to a user. | 06-03-2010 |
20100145615 | Measuring and mapping receiver performance using global positioning system (GPS)data - In one embodiment, a method for performing testing of a receiver is provided. The method may include recording performance data associated with a radio signal received by a receiver, and recording global positioning system (GPS) data, where the GPS data is obtained from a GPS receiver co-located with the receiver. Then this data may be processed to map the performance data with the GPS data to indicate at least a location of the receiver and a corresponding receiver performance metric. | 06-10-2010 |
20100153011 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EVIDENCING A TRANSACTION USING LOCATION INFORMATION - An apparatus for evidencing an occurrence of a transaction is provided that includes a tamper indicating housing, a processing unit provided within the tamper indicating housing, and a cryptographic module also provided within the tamper indicating housing. The processing unit is adapted to: (i) determine current location information indicating a current location of the apparatus, (ii) obtain transaction information relating to the transaction, and (iii) compile a data block including at least the current location information and the transaction information. The cryptographic module is adapted to generate cryptographic evidence based on the data block. The processing unit may also be adapted to obtain current time information, and the data block may further include the current time information. The processing unit may also be adapted to obtain user authentication information, such as biometric information, and the data block may further include the user authentication information. | 06-17-2010 |
20100169013 | VEHICLE POSITIONING DEVICE - Setting a planimetric feature having a high frequency of appearance as a planimetric feature to be recognized necessary for an own-vehicle position correction by referring to arrangement patterns of planimetric features having a high frequency of appearance for each of a plurality of types of road in response to a target object for an assist control, for example, a characteristic planimetric feature in an area where the own-vehicle will travel hereafter from among planimetric features on a road of which information is stored in a map database. Then, recognizing the set planimetric feature, and correcting an own-vehicle position from one based on a GPS and a travel path in accordance with a recognition result thereof. | 07-01-2010 |
20100174484 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPTIMIZING HYBRID ENGINE OPERATION - A system for optimizing a trip for a hybrid vehicle, comprising a computer programmed to determine a route for the hybrid vehicle to travel, obtain altitude and terrain information of the route, and generate a trip plan based on at least the route and altitude to minimize total energy expended along the route by encouraging regenerative braking during portions of the route, regardless of needs to slow the hybrid vehicle. | 07-08-2010 |
20100174485 | REARVIEW ASSEMBLY WITH DISPLAY - A navigation system for a vehicle includes a vehicle-based telematics system, a vehicle-based global positioning system and a control. The telematics system is operable to receive a user input from a driver of the vehicle and to download directional information from an external service provider to the control in response to the user input and an initial geographic position of the vehicle. The directional information comprises at least two instructions with each of the instructions being coded or associated with or linked to a respective geographic location. The control is operable to provide an output corresponding to each of the instructions in response to a current actual geographic position of the vehicle. The control is operable to provide each instruction only when the then current actual geographic position of the vehicle at least generally corresponds to the particular geographic location associated with the instruction. | 07-08-2010 |
20100191466 | GPS LOCATION AND FAVORITE PREDICTION BASED ON IN-VEHICLE META-DATA - According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for automatically entering favorite locations into a navigation system is provided. The method according to one embodiment includes receiving information regarding a location from an object within a vehicle using a navigation system. An identifier to the information and the information and identifier are stored in the navigation system. The user may retrieve the information from the navigation system using the identifier. The information from the objects may be received in various wireless formats, including RFID, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. | 07-29-2010 |
20100198510 | DEVICE, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING AND STORING SENSITIVE INFORMATION ON A GPS DEVICE - A system and method for controlling and storing sensitive information on a global positioning system (GPS) device are provided. The system includes a locational information module for determining location information of the device; an encryption module for encrypting the location information; a processing module for storing the encrypted location information in a storage module; and an input module for inputting a code string for decrypting the location information. Information inputted to and/or generated by the device will be encrypted on the storage module. The storage module can be in any form currently available including optical media, or various types of removable memory cards or cartridges. Furthermore, the storage module may be internal memory and the GPS device may further include a transmission module or connection, e.g., hardwire or wireless, to port the information to a computer. | 08-05-2010 |
20100204918 | TIME SYNCHRONIZATION METHOD FOR VEHICLES HAVING NAVIGATION DEVICE - Provided is a method of performing time synchronization using a navigation device. The method includes: (a) performing time synchronization between a GPS satellite and a navigation device by receiving GPS signals by a navigation device from at least one GPS satellite; (b) establishing an interface between the navigation device and a time-using device; (c) setting conditions for transmitting time information to the navigation device; and (d) performing time synchronization between the navigation device and the time-using device by transmission of time information from the navigation device to the time-using device. | 08-12-2010 |
20100228479 | Customizable audio alerts in a personal navigation device - A method of creating and playing customizable audio alerts in a personal navigation device is disclosed. The method includes adding a user-customizable text message to a message field of a point of interest (POI) data structure for a POI to create an updated POI data structure, storing the updated POI data structure in a memory of the personal navigation device, receiving current position information of the personal navigation device, comparing the current position information of the personal navigation device with position coordinates associated with the updated POI data structure, and converting the text message of the updated POI data structure to speech and playing the speech through a speaker of the personal navigation device when the position comparison indicates that the personal navigation device is within a predetermined radius of the POI. | 09-09-2010 |
20100250129 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MANAGING POWER CONSUMPTION - GPS navigation devices or GPS receivers can consume less power by using a temperature recorder circuit and/or a power manager in calculating the accuracies of the GPS system time and reference frequency to improve battery life. A representative receiver includes a time reference device that generates data associated with a GPS system time, and a temperature recorder circuit that operates using the generated data from the time reference device and monitors the temperature of the time reference device while the receiver hibernates. The receiver further includes memory including a power manager that has instructions, which are processed by a processing device after the receiver wakes up. The instructions associated with the power manager include determining if the temperature recorder circuit sent a wake-up signal, reading data from the temperature recorder circuit, and adjusting parameters associated with at least one of the following: the time reference device and the temperature recorder circuit. | 09-30-2010 |
20100250130 | NAVIGATION LOCATION MARK BY CELL PHONE - A system is provided that may mark and communicate a location to a navigation system via a portable device. The portable device may include a user interface, a first GPS device, a first memory device and a transmitter. The user interface may selectively allow the first GPS device to acquire geographical coordinates of a current location of the portable device and store the geographical coordinates in the first memory device. The navigation system may include a second GPS device, a second memory device, a receiver, and a display. The transmitter of the portable device may communicate the geographical coordinates to the receiver of the navigation system. | 09-30-2010 |
20100250131 | POSITION-BASED TAGS, REMINDERS, AND MESSAGING - A method performed by a user device may include determining a geographical position of the device, receiving a description of the geographical position, receiving a selection of one or more individuals to share the geographical position and the description, and saving the geographical position and the description, on another device, to permit access to the geographical position and the description, on the other device, according to the selection of the one or more individuals. Another method performed by a user device may include determining a geographical position of the user device, receiving reminder information that is tied with the geographical position, receiving a selection of a user in which the reminder information and the geographical position pertains, and notifying the user of the reminder information a next time that the user device is at or within a specified distance from the geographical position. A further method performed by a user device may include determining a geographical position of the user device, creating a text message that integrates the geographical position in an attachment that causes a recipient user device to perform an automatic wake-up call of a position-based application for locating the geographical position of the user device, and transmitting the text message that integrates the geographical position to the recipient user device. | 09-30-2010 |
20100262368 | Brake Controller Utilizing a Global Positioning System - A GPS data based towed vehicle braking control system and related methods are provided. In operation, an auxiliary braking system for positioning within a towed vehicle and for actuation of the brakes thereof, is provided. The system is designed to activate the auxiliary braking system only when brakes of a towing vehicle are themselves actuated. The system includes a sensing mechanism with integrated logic mechanism. The system also has a power mechanism associated with the sensing mechanism. Further, a brake actuation mechanism is associated with the sensing mechanism. In operation, the sensing mechanism employs a global positioning system (GPS) sensing device that senses the location of the auxiliary braking system. Integrated logic mechanism can then provide information to the brake actuation mechanism to selectively cause the auxiliary braking system to apply force to brakes associated with a towed vehicle. | 10-14-2010 |
20100262369 | METHOD FOR THE TRANSMISSION OF ADDITIONAL DATA ALONG WITH NAVIGATION MESSAGES IN A SATELLITE NAVIGATION SYSTEM - A method for transmitting additional information in a satellite navigation system includes providing a navigation message having a plurality of parameters, selecting at least one parameter from the plurality of parameters for the transmitting of the additional information, replacing the at least one parameter, at least partially, by the additional information so as to form a changed navigation message, and sending the changed navigation message | 10-14-2010 |
20100268463 | NAVIGATION BASED ON DIRECTION OF TRAVEL/USER-DEFINED PATH - A device receives global navigation satellite system coordinates associated with a mobile user device, and determines a direction of travel of the mobile user device based on the global navigation satellite system coordinates. The device creates a user-defined path based on a user-defined starting point, a user-defined destination point, and one or more user-defined intermediate points received from the mobile user device, and receives, from the mobile user device, a search request for points of interest in one of the direction of travel or along the user-defined path. The device further determines, based on the search request, one or more points of interest in the direction of travel or along the user-defined path, and provides, to the mobile user device, the determined one or more points of interest in the direction of travel or along the user-defined path. | 10-21-2010 |
20100268464 | NAVIGATION METHOD FOR A COMMUNICATION DEVICE - A navigation method for a communication device sends a navigational route request from the communication device to the server to generate a navigation contact group, sends a join message to join the navigation contact group as a group member, the navigational route request includes a start time and a time interval, and receives position information of the group members at each time interval from the server. The method further selects a position of a target group member from the position information of the group members, receives updated position information of the target group member from the server, and provides navigational route for the communication device according to the updated position information of the target group member using a global position system of the communication device. | 10-21-2010 |
20100274483 | Ergonomic User Interface for a Portable Navigation Device - A portable navigation device ( | 10-28-2010 |
20100274484 | MOBILE ELECTRONIC DEVICE PROVIDING DISPLAY BACKGROUND ROTATION AND METHOD THEREOF - An electronic device allowing changing of a display background thereof obtains a current location from a navigation device. An image associated with the current location is sought in a memory system, in response to a determination that the current location does not match a location associated with the current display background displayed on a display device. The current display background is replaced with the located image. | 10-28-2010 |
20100286910 | Illuminated Safety Net - An illuminated safety net having a matrix arrangement of woven flexible material including an array of intersecting rows and columns that define a plurality of open spaces and an outer edge thereabout having a mounting means for attachment to a surface; a plurality of electrical leads interlaced within the rows or columns of the matrix of the net; a plurality of light sources coupled to the plurality of electrical leads and positioned at the intersection of the rows and columns; and a battery pack coupled to the electrical leads providing a power source to the plurality of lights. The illuminated safety net serves as a rescue marker or warning means to others. The illuminated safety net is compact enough to be stored in a rolled-up fashion and be conveniently stowed away in confined areas. The illuminated safety net may use auxiliary light sources not requiring a power source attached thereabout the net as a secondary means to illuminate. | 11-11-2010 |
20100292925 | Direction Indication Device of a Global Positioning System - The present invention is a direction indication device of a global positioning system which is composed of a host having a voice device and a display panel. An exterior of the display panel is enclosed with a cover, a proper position on which is installed with an indication unit including at least one illumination element. Each illumination element represents a direction indication. An interior of the host also includes a navigation module which produces a navigation signal and a direction indication module which produces an indication signal on the indication unit. After the direction indication module has received the navigation signal, the illumination element representing the direction will produce light to represent the direction indicated by the navigation signal, such that a driver can be indicated with the direction on the display panel without watching at the global positioning system. | 11-18-2010 |
20100305854 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COMBINING THREE-DIMENSIONAL POSITION AND TWO-DIMENSIONAL INTENSITY MAPPING FOR LOCALIZATION - A mapping method includes using a first mobile unit to map two-dimensional features while the first mobile unit traverses a surface. Three-dimensional positions of the features are sensed during the mapping. A three-dimensional map is created including associations between the three-dimensional positions of the features and the map of the two-dimensional features. The three-dimensional map is provided from the first mobile unit to a second mobile unit. The second mobile unit is used to map the two-dimensional features while the second mobile unit traverses the surface. Three-dimensional positions of the two-dimensional features mapped by the second mobile unit are determined within the second mobile unit and by using the three-dimensional map. | 12-02-2010 |
20100305855 | LOCATION RELEVANCE PROCESSING SYSTEM AND METHOD - A system and method for determining a relevance of content for delivery to a mobile device is presented. Location information about a location of the mobile device is received. A set of location-based content related to the location is determined based on the location information and a user affinity of a user associated with the mobile device. The set of location-based content describes one or more places of interest to the user. A distance between each of the one or more places of interest and the mobile device is computed according to the location of the mobile device. A final relevance value for each item of content in the set of location-based content is determined, and the content from the set of location-based content is displayed according to the content's final relevance value. | 12-02-2010 |
20100324819 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REDUCING ENERGY CONSUMPTION OF A USER EQUIPMENT - An approach is provided for energy-efficient location tracking. An energy saving module obtains measured location data of the user equipment, and determines a function to forecast locations of the user equipment based on the measured location data to output forecast location data. The energy saving module further receives movement data from a sensor of the user equipment, and converts the movement data to converted location data. The energy saving module then compares the forecast location data with the converted location data for a deviation, and then it either initiates reporting of the deviation when the deviation exceeds a predetermined range, or disables the reporting of the deviation when the deviation is within the predetermined range. | 12-23-2010 |
20100324820 | OBJECT LOCATION - The invention relates to a method of locating an object, comprising a step of locating an object and a step of verifying the existence of a pre-established connection between the location of the object and at least one place associated with the object. In the affirmative, a step of providing an information item dependent on at least one place resulting from the verification step. | 12-23-2010 |
20110022313 | Method and Apparatus for Automatically Determining Practicality of a Trip - Provided is a method and an apparatus for automatically determining practicality of a trip. A mobile device obtains at least one point of interest among a starting location and a finishing location for a trip. In accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure, for each point of interest, the mobile device automatically determines an indication of practicality for making the point of interest an intermediate location to be visited during the trip based on both the starting location and the finishing location for the trip. By considering both the starting location and the finishing location, the points of interest can be presented to the user in a manner that reflects how practical it is to visit the points of interest given that the user is to end up at the finishing location. | 01-27-2011 |
20110022314 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR DETERMINING A DISTANCE - A device and method for determining a distance from the device to a distant point is disclosed herein. The device includes a GPS component, a laser component, a camera component, a memory, a display component, a user input, and a processor comprising means for determining a distance between any two points. | 01-27-2011 |
20110022315 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SENDING DESTINATION LOCATIONS TO NAVIGATION DEVICES - A navigation device receives a destination location to automatically calculate a route to the destination location over a wireless network. The destination location may be generated by a third party at a remote computer or wireless device. The destination location may be entered into the remote computer or wireless device, or may be automatically generated by the device. The destination location is transmitted from the remote computer or wireless device to the navigation device. Once received, the user of the navigation device may have the option of accepting or rejecting the destination location. The navigation device then uses the destination location to calculate a route which is communicated to the User with minimal to no user interaction. Multiple destinations may be sent to the navigation device, thus allowing advanced programming of an entire trip. | 01-27-2011 |
20110029240 | HOST BASED SATELLITE POSITIONING SYSTEMS - Methods and systems consistent with the present invention provide a host based positioning system. The host based positioning system includes a tracker hardware interface that connects to a dedicated hardware space vehicle tracker. The tracker hardware interface receives positioning information from the space vehicle tracker. The host based positioning system also includes a memory that includes a GPS library having a user interface, a tracker interface, and an operating system interface. A processor runs functions provided by the interfaces. | 02-03-2011 |
20110054787 | Context Determination to Assist Location Determination Accuracy - A location aware device includes a navigation system and one or more environment sensors. Sensor output(s) are aggregated and used to determine a context for the location aware device. Based on the determined context, context data is generated and provided to a navigation engine where it can be used to determine a navigation solution. | 03-03-2011 |
20110054788 | Personal calendar Updates and hand held communication devices - Methods and systems are provided for updating calendar and appointments based on a conversation on the hand held device. The software application and/or device shall sense the end of the call and prompt the user to decide if the call resulted in an appointment. If he answers in the affirmative, he is taken to the calendar application within the device to update his calendar with the appointment. | 03-03-2011 |
20110054789 | CRADLE HAVING GPS FUNCTION FOR PORTABLE DEVICE - A cradle having a GPS function for a portable device includes: a housing that has a built-in GPS antenna, a built-in circuit board that converts a GPS signal received through the GPS antenna into traveling information of a vehicle and then transmits the traveling information to the portable device, and receives navigation information from the portable device, and one or more built-in speakers that vocally outputs the navigation information received through the circuit board, in which a direction change informing portion that is formed at both side ends of the front of a protruding portion that protrudes toward the driver's seat at the lower end of the housing, and informs a direction change of the vehicle on the basis of the navigation information. | 03-03-2011 |
20110060521 | Portable navigation apparatus with refueling prompt function and method thereof - This present invention provides a portable navigation apparatus with a refueling prompt function, characterized in that the memory comprises a driving style table and a fuel consumption reference database, and the processing unit comprises a fuel recording unit and a refueling prompt unit. Wherein, while a vehicle approaches a gas station near the navigation route, or while a new route or a re-planned route is generated, the refueling prompt unit is able to automatically calculate forecasting fuel consumption required for traveling from a current location to a next gas station near a navigation route according to the navigation route generated by the route navigation unit, the driving style table and the fuel consumption reference database, and prompting an alarm signal when the forecasting fuel consumption is greater than the fuel quantity to remind a user to refuel firstly. | 03-10-2011 |
20110066375 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING NAVIGATIONAL INFORMATION ASSOCIATED WITH LOCATIONS OF OBJECTS - An apparatus for providing navigational information associated with locations of objects includes an imaging device configured to acquire image data, a visual display coupled to the imaging device and configured to display the image data, a position measuring device configured to determine position information associated with the imaging device, and an orientation device configured to determine orientation information associated with the imaging device. The apparatus may also include a rendering system coupled to the visual display, the position measuring device, and the orientation device. The rendering system may be configured to determine image coordinates associated with a location of an object and provide a navigational graphic on the visual display oriented relative to the image coordinates. | 03-17-2011 |
20110071759 | Performance of a Navigation Receiver Operating in a Power-Save Mode with the Aid of Sensors - A system and method for controlling a navigation receiver is disclosed. A current position is determined using the navigation receiver and then the navigation receiver is placed in a power-save mode. The current position is updated using information from position sensors. The navigation receiver is temporarily placed in an active mode at intervals to determine an intermediate position. The current position is also updated using the intermediate position. The navigation receiver may be a GNSS receiver, a cellular receiver, a WiFi receiver, or another position-fixing device. The position sensors may be accelerometers, gyroscopes, electronic compasses or mapping data. A power-save controller controls the power-save or active mode of the navigation receiver. A sensor conditioning circuit pre-processes the data from the position sensors before providing the data to the power-save controller. During the power-save mode, an RF subsystem and/or a baseband subsystem of the navigation receiver may be turned off. | 03-24-2011 |
20110098924 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR DETERMINING A DISTANCE - A device and method for determining a distance from the device to a distant point is disclosed herein. The device includes a GPS component, a laser component, a camera component, a memory, a display component, a user input, and a processor comprising means for determining a distance between any two points. | 04-28-2011 |
20110106448 | Database System and Method of Obtaining and Communicating Data - A database system and method for obtaining and communicating data is provided, wherein the system includes a plurality of mobile nodes, wherein at least a first mobile node has an environmental data collection device, a location determination device configured to determine a geographical location that is associated with environmental data obtained by the environmental data collection device, and a memory device configured to store the environmental data and the associated geographical location. The first mobile node further includes a processor, and a communication device configured to transmit the environmental data and the associated geographical location to a database, wherein at least one of the database and the processor is configured to categorize the environmental data and the associated geographical location, and communicate data that is a function of the environmental data and the associated geographical location to a second mobile node of the plurality of mobile nodes based upon the categorization. | 05-05-2011 |
20110112763 | Rear-view car mirror for accommodating a GPS device - An interior rear-view mirror for cars is so designed that a portable GPS device may be readily mounted on. Depending on implementation, a portable GPS device may be slid in or clipped onto a rear-view mirror. | 05-12-2011 |
20110112764 | NAVIGATION DEVICE & METHOD FOR DETERMINING ROAD-SURFACE FEATURES - A navigation device includes a processor, a memory accessible by the processor, and a device to determine at least one physical parameter applied to the navigation device and to output information indicative of the at least one parameter to the processor. In at least one embodiment, the processor is arranged to determine a road-surface feature based upon the received information and to store road-surface quality information in the memory indicating the location of the road-surface feature. | 05-12-2011 |
20110112765 | NAVIGATION DEVICE & METHOD - A navigation device includes a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver for receiving GNSS signals broadcast by satellites of a GNSS, a receiver for receiving location information input by a user, time information and/or wireless network coverage information and a processing device. In at least one embodiment, the processing device is arranged to determine a seed position from the location information input by a user; time information and/or wireless network coverage information and controls the GNSS receiver to acquire GNSS satellites based on the determined seed position. | 05-12-2011 |
20110112766 | RELATIVE VEHICULAR POSITIONING USING VEHICULAR COMMUNICATIONS - The relative position of one vehicle vs. another vehicle, both driving in a vehicular environment, is determined using vehicular communications based on the IEEE 802.11 standard. The relative position determination is performed in a measuring vehicle using data provided by a measured vehicle through IEEE 802.11 communications carried through beacons as well as GPS or other location data and local map information | 05-12-2011 |
20110125403 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR UTILIZING GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION INFORMATION - Embodiments of the present invention provide navigation devices ( | 05-26-2011 |
20110144910 | HEIGHT OUTPUT DEVICE, HEIGHT OUTPUT METHOD, AND PROGRAM - A height output device includes a GPS processing unit that calculates a GPS height of a moving body based on GPS signals, an atmospheric pressure measurement unit that measures atmospheric pressure, a determination unit that determines reliability of the GPS height calculated by the GPS processing unit, and an output unit that outputs an absolute height of the moving body depending on the reliability determined by the determination unit. When the reliability satisfies a predetermined output reference, the output unit outputs the latest GPS height calculated by the GPS processing unit, as the absolute height of the moving body, and when the reliability does not satisfy the output reference, the output unit outputs a height, which is calculated by using a past output value of the absolute value and the atmospheric pressure measured by the atmospheric pressure measurement unit, as the absolute height of the moving body. | 06-16-2011 |
20110166784 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR DATA COLLECTION AND REPORTING - A data reporting and collection system according to various aspects of the present invention is configured to signal a global positioning satellite enabled mobile device to collect data relating to the relative position of the device over a period of time. In one embodiment, the data reporting and collection system comprises a polling system linked and/or embedded with the mobile device. The polling system is adapted to control how the data is collected, saved, and transferred to a reporting system that may be selectively connected to the polling system. The reporting system processes the saved data and converts the data into one or more user reports summarizing the saved data. For example, the reporting system may compile an entire year's worth of mileage data into a tax report that may be submitted with a tax return. | 07-07-2011 |
20110166785 | INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR SYSTEM - A vehicular interior rearview mirror system includes an interior rearview mirror assembly, a global positioning system operable to determine a geographical location of the vehicle, and a display device. Data relevant to the geographical location of the vehicle is carried from an external provider to the vehicle via a wireless communication link. The data may be wirelessly communicated from the external provider to the vehicle responsive to at least one of (a) location of the vehicle, (b) identity of the vehicle and (c) directional heading of the vehicle, and the data may be at least in part customized to the geographic location of the vehicle. The interior rearview mirror system may include a link with a mobile accessory that may be a personal accessory of an occupant of the vehicle, and the mobile accessory may include at least one of a keypad, a touch pad and a stylus-actuated screen. | 07-07-2011 |
20110178706 | GPS device with personalized instruction - A GPS device is configured to allow a driver to enter personalized texts or record voices that are to be accessed as direction instructions. Thus personalized instruction is pronounced when there is a need to alert a driver. | 07-21-2011 |
20110218733 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR VISION AIDED NAVIGATION USING IMAGE REGISTRATION - A navigation system comprises an image sensor operable to obtain a first image at a first moment in time and a second image at a second moment in time; an inertial measurement unit (IMU) operable to obtain measurement data corresponding to the first and second moments in time; and a processing unit coupled to the image sensor and the IMU. The processing unit is operable to estimate motion between the first and second moments in time based on the measurement data from the IMU; calculate a plurality of transformations based on the estimated motion; apply each of the plurality of transformations to the first image to produce a plurality of predicted images; compare the second image to each of the plurality of predicted images; select the predicted image from the plurality of predicted images which most closely matches the second image; and compensate for error in the IMU measurement data based on the transformation corresponding to the selected predicted image. | 09-08-2011 |
20110231094 | METHOD FOR GEOLOCATING AN OBJECT BY MULTITELEMETRY - A method for geolocating a fixed non-cooperating object by means of an embedded system onboard a mobile platform, equipped with distance acquisition means for acquiring the distance between the object and the system, and position acquisition means for acquiring the position of the system, includes acquiring two distance measurements of the object relative to two distinct positions of the system, thus defining two object position-distance pairs, the positions being those of the system and being obtained by the position acquisition means, and the distances being obtained by the distance acquisition means. The method also includes acquiring at least one other object position-distance pair, and calculating the geolocation of the object from these object position-distance pairs. | 09-22-2011 |
20110238306 | Method Of Determining Absolute Position For A Motor Vehicle - A method of determining an absolute position for a motor vehicle is disclosed. The method includes steps of receiving information related to the absolute positions of one or more remote sources. The method further includes steps of determining distances to the one or more remote sources. Methods for selecting a subset of remote sources from a set of all available remote sources to be used in determining an absolute position for the motor vehicle are also disclosed. | 09-29-2011 |
20110238307 | VEHICLE NAVIGATION USING NON-GPS LEO SIGNALS AND ON-BOARD SENSORS - A navigation system includes a navigation radio and a sensor onboard a vehicle. The navigation radio receives and processes low earth orbit RF signals to derive range observables for a corresponding LEO satellite. A sensor is operable to generate at least one of vehicle speed data, acceleration data, angular rate data and rotational angle data under high vehicle dynamics. The navigation radio includes a navigation code operable to obtain a position, velocity and time solution (a “navigation solution”) based on the one or more range observables, ephemerides for the corresponding LEO satellite, a heading pseudomeasurement, a navigation radio altitude pseudomeasurement; one or more vehicle velocity pseudomeasurements orthogonal to the altitude pseudomeasurements; and the generated at least one of vehicle speed data, acceleration data, angular rate data and rotational angle data. The navigation radio uses the navigation solution to acquire a GPS signal during interference with a coarse acquisition GPS signal. | 09-29-2011 |
20110251791 | Method And Device For Updating The Position Of An Aircraft - Method and device for updating the position of an aircraft | 10-13-2011 |
20110288771 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING THE GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION OF A DEVICE - A method and apparatus for estimating a location of a device. For each of a plurality of locations of a device, a set of positional data is determined from signals received from a plurality of satellites. The positional data is filtered and compared with data from a road network database. This comparison may be a function of a distance from at least one point defined by a set of the filtered positional data to a road in the road network database and an angle between a line representing a best fit for plural points defined by corresponding plural sets of the filtered positional data to a line defined by a road in the road network database. | 11-24-2011 |
20110307172 | HAND-HELD NAVIGATION AID FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH VISUAL IMPAIRMENT - The present application relates to a hand-held navigation aid and method that assists the visually impaired individuals to navigate and perform routine activities independently. The method enables visually impaired individuals to identify the hindrances using navigation means. The method assists visually impaired individual to navigate in all types of environment, outdoor with or without GPS facility and indoor with or without GPS facility by means of the hand-held navigation aid. | 12-15-2011 |
20110320122 | TRACK INFORMATION GENERATING DEVICE, TRACK INFORMATION GENERATING METHOD, AND COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM - Track information generating devices, methods, and programs acquire a self-contained navigation track of a vehicle indicated by time-series pieces of self-contained navigation information, and acquire a GPS track that is a track of the vehicle indicated by time-series pieces of GPS information. The devices, methods, and compare the self-contained navigation track with the GPS track to acquire a first correction amount for obtaining the highest degree of coincidence between the self-contained navigation track and the GPS track and then correct the self-contained navigation information using a second correction amount that is smaller than the first correction amount. | 12-29-2011 |
20120029810 | System and Method for Moving-Base RTK Measurements - In a system and method for navigating a moving object according to signals from satellite, a moving object receives satellite navigation signals from a number of satellites. The moving object also receives moving base data from a moving base. The received moving base data includes satellite measurement data of the moving base. At the moving object a relative position vector of the moving object relative to the moving base is determined, based on the received moving base data and the received satellite navigation signals. The moving object sends a signal reporting information corresponding to the relative position vector. | 02-02-2012 |