A navigation information system comprises a communications system having a fixed part (11 to 20) and at least one mobile part (1 to 10), the fixed part including a data storage and processing means (15) for identifying the location of a mobile unit, generating guidance information appropriate to that location and transmitting it to the mobile unit. By locating most of the complexity with the service provider, in particular the navigation computer (15) and geographical database (17), the system can be readily updated and the capital cost of the in-vehicle system, which in its simplest form may be a standard cellular telephone (1), can be minimised. The user makes a request for guidance information, and the system, having determined the user's present location, then transmits instructions to the user. The user's present location can be determined by means such as a Satellite Positioning System (7).

Navigation information system

The preferred embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods and systems for dynamic route estimation and prediction using discrete sampled location updates from various mobile devices for the purpose of providing a graphical representation of a mobile device's route along a known network path of map data. The embodiments also provide supplemental route metrics, such as traveled distance, elapsed time, etc., and the capability to assign destination points for the purpose of providing the ability to modify location update points in an application, such as a route planner, and/or to store the dynamically generated route based on various preferences for later retrieval.

Method and system for dynamic estimation and predictive route generation

Methods and apparatus for the automatic and management of traffic, utilizing a microprocessor-based, read-write vehicle borne transponder device. The system includes plurality of transceivers spaced along and positioned adjacent to a roadway, a plurality of vehicle borne transponders, and an independent network management computer. As vehicles traverse the roadway the transponders communicate with the transceivers and one or both of those units collect information such as, vehicle entrance point, vehicle exit point, vehicle speed, number of passengers in each vehicle, and vehicle class. Some of the collected information is processed by the transceivers and transponders, while other information is transmitted to the network management computer for processing.

Traffic monitoring and management method and apparatus

A route guidance system comprising an in-vehicle device (10) and a central route advisory system (30) in which the in-vehicle device comprises an audio emitter (18) and a visual display unit (24, 26) adapted to provide audio and visual instructions to a user to perform manoeuvres required to complete an optimal route, wherein the optimal route is transmitted by the central route advisory system (30) to the in-vehicle device (10) in response to a route request from the user to a human operator in the central route advisory system (30) to a specified destination.

Route guidance system

A system coupled to one or more vending machines, such as soft drink vending machines, via a wireless data link can acquire operational vending data, for example sales data, hardware status, and product temperature The system can compile data from multiple vending machines dispersed across a geographic area such as a city or state The system can include software that refines the vending operations of one or more such vending machines based on analysis of acquired data, taking into consideration other information such as market, business, seasonal, or environmental factors Refining vending operations can include adjusting product offerings, relocating vending machines, replicating favorable conditions, and addressing unexpected sales variations

Method and system for refining vending operations based on wireless data

A mobile telecommunications system includes aplurality of base stations (10) each being communicatable with a mobile station (16) by radio, and a telecommunications network (22) accommodating the plurality of base stations (10) for switching communications to the plurality of base stations (10). A system center (26) is connected to said telecommunications network (22) for selecting an optimum route on the basis of instantaneous traffic conditions. Any of the base stations (10) transmits to the mobile station (16) base station data representative of the base station (10). When the mobile station (16) sends a guidance request for requesting route guidance data, the telecommunications network (22) reports the guidance request to the system center (26). The system center (26) selects, in response to the guidance request, an optimum route matching instantaneous traffic conditions and transmits optimum route data representative of the optimum route to the mobile station (16) over the telecommunications network (22).

Kodama Toshiyuki

Papers

Route guidance system for a mobile telecommunication system

Strassenleitsystem für ein bewegliches Fernmeldeverbindungssystem