Xanavi Informatics Corporation

Clarion Co

Manabu Kato

Deepak Ramaswamy

Sadanori Horiguchi

Kenichiro Yamane

Takumi Fushiki

Shinichi Amaya

Kimiyoshi Machii

A method for geographic interpolation of traffic data in a vehicle navigation system in which the navigation system includes a map database divided into geographic meshes. Each mesh includes a plurality of road links of different types. That data also includes a first set of meshes containing traffic flow data while a mutually exclusive second set of meshes contains no such traffic flow data. A border between the first and second set of meshes is first identified and thereafter a blend zone of blend meshes is created by selecting at least one mesh adjacent the border so that the blend mesh is interposed between the first and second set of meshes. Thereafter, the traffic data for each type of road link in the blend mesh is adjusted to a value intermediate the first and second set of adjacent meshes for each type of road link and the blend mesh data is then stored.

System and method for geographic interpolation of traffic data

There is provided a method and a device for accurately estimating traffic information of a link having no traffic information even if different types of roads are mixed. The device finds a parameter characterizing a damping curve of a quantity of change of relative speed based on stored traffic information for links on a city center side on a minimum-time cost route connecting the city center and suburbs, finds a quantity of change of relative speed of the link having no observed traffic information and estimates its traffic information based on the damping curve. The device also calculates a ratio of quantities of change of relative speed of two links whose road types change as a speed change similarity ratio and estimates traffic information of the link of a second road type from known traffic information of the link of a first road type by using that ratio.

Method of estimation of traffic information, device of estimation of traffic information and car navigation device

A method for displaying waypoint information on the screen of a vehicle navigation system. The method includes the steps of displaying a route on the screen and inputting criteria which identify desired waypoints along the route as well as the desired time to reach the waypoint. The location of the desired waypoint along the route as a function of the desired time to reach the waypoint in traffic conditions is determined and that waypoint information is displayed on the screen. The method optionally utilizes two-way communication between the navigation system and waypoint content providers.

Vehicle navigation system and method for displaying waypoint information

A vehicle navigation system for use with a traffic information broadcast system which transmits traffic data relating to primary road segments and a communication system which transmits traffic data relating to road segments in a local geographic area. A broadcast receiver receives the broadcast traffic data from the broadcast system and stores the received data. A communication transmitter, when activated, transmits a data request to the communication system. A communication receiver receives the local traffic data from the communication system in response to the data request while a processor displays traffic information on a display screen corresponding to the received broadcast traffic data and the received local traffic data. The local traffic data includes both traffic information relating to local road segments as well as non-traffic temporal events, such as weather, and time-related events which affect traffic flow.

Apparatus and method for processing and displaying traffic information in an automotive navigation system

A vehicle navigation system for use with a traffic information broadcast system which transmits traffic data relating to primary road segments and a communication system which transmits traffic data relating to road segments in a local geographic area. A broadcast receiver receives the broadcast traffic data from the broadcast system and stores the received data. A communication transmitter, when activated, transmits a data request to the communication system. A communication receiver receives the local traffic data from the communication system in response to the data request while a processor displays traffic information on a display screen corresponding to the received broadcast traffic data and the received local traffic data. The local traffic data includes both traffic information relating to local road segments as well as non-traffic temporal events, such as weather, and time-related events which affect traffic flow. A database of historic traffic flow for the road segments is periodically updated to reflect new traffic data.

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Novi, MI, United States of America

Manabu Kato