A method for providing unequal allocation of rights among agents while operating according to fair principles, comprising assigning a hierarchal rank to each agent; providing a synthetic economic value to a first set of agents at the a high level of the hierarchy; allocating portions of the synthetic economic value by the first set of agents to a second set of agents at respectively different hierarchal rank than the first set of agents; and conducting an auction amongst agents using the synthetic economic value as the currency. A method for allocation among agents, comprising assigning a wealth generation function for generating future wealth to each of a plurality of agents, communicating subjective market information between agents, and transferring wealth generated by the secure wealth generation function between agents in consideration of a market transaction. The method may further comprise the step of transferring at least a portion of the wealth generation function between agents.

Multifactorial optimization system and method

A navigation system including a present-position sensing system for sensing a present position; information storage medium for storing map information; an input device for entering into the system the destination, a roundabout point, a bypass, and the location desired to be traversed for entry of input indicating the execution of a route search from the present position sensed by the present-position sensing system to the destination; an output device for outputting information route guidance; and a central processing unit including a route searching capability for searching for a route to the destination; a route storage capability for provisionally storing the identified route; and route guidance control for sending a signal for performing route guidance to the output device. When the roundabout point or bypass is entered in the system, a search cost for roads and intersections near to the roundabout point or bypass is raised so that route search processing can be performed. When the location desired to be traversed is set, roads near to the location desired to be traversed are retrieved for search purposes. In travel guidance, a present-position mark is displayed in either a continuous mode or a blinking mode depending on the state of travel.

Navigation system for vehicles

A vehicle information system which includes an in-vehicle system 105 and a centralized server system 120 . The in-vehicle system communicates with the server system using a wireless communication link 110 , such as over a cellular telephone system. A position system, such as a set of GPS satellites 140 , provides positioning signals that are used by the in-vehicle systems, and optionally by the centralized server system to increase the accuracy of position estimates. In one version of the system, an operator specifies a destination to an in-vehicle system which validates the destination. The in-vehicle system transmits specification of the destination to a server system 125 at the centralized server. The server system computes a route to the destination and transmits the computed route to the in-vehicle system. The in-vehicle system guides the operator along the route. If the in-vehicle system detects that the vehicle has deviated from the planned route, it replans a new route to the destination using an in-vehicle map database.

Vehicle information system

The vehicle communication and control system of the present invention includes a transceiver for sending and receiving RF signals, a processor coupled to the transceiver, a location identifying sensor coupled to the processor for supplying vehicle location data, a user interface coupled to the processor for providing information to a user and for enabling a user to input commands to be executed by the processor, and a vehicle accessory interface for coupling the processor to a vehicle accessory control circuit to enable the processor to issue commands to a vehicle accessory. The processor is preferably adapted to perform a wide variety of functions in response to user input commands, received RF signals, and other commands received from other vehicle accessories and components coupled to the system of the present invention through the vehicle system bus. Some of these functions include establishing a two-way communication link, requesting and providing location-specific information, enabling remote tracking of the vehicle, issuing an emergency request or a request for roadside assistance, requesting and receiving navigational information, remote control of vehicle functions, enabling remote diagnostics of the vehicle, and enabling reprogramming of various vehicle accessories and components.

Vehicle communication and remote control system

An information system for providing services including traffic and navigation services, as well as other information services to a driver. One versions of the system makes use of existing components of a wireless telephone system, for example, by using the input and output capabilities of a telephone handset. Another version is a portable system that includes multiple switches for initiating access to a remote server in one of a number of operating modes. For instance the system has switches for initiating traffic information, roadside assistance, personal information, or emergency modes. The system includes a positioning system for generating position data related to a geographic location of the system, and a wireless communication device. The system also includes an audio output device, such as a speaker for presenting the received information. The system can also include a storage for a unique identification of the information system. This identification is passed to the remote server through the wireless communication device. Another version of the system provides both autonomous and client-server based navigation services in which a removable database supports route planning in a limited area and a remote server supports route planning outside that area.

Driver information system

A vehicle navigation apparatus for producing navigation information about a set of road maps, the starting position, current position and destination of a vehicle, a first optimum travel route having the vehicle travel to the destination from the starting position with a shortest driving time interval, and a second optimum travel route having the vehicle travel to the destination from the current position with a shortest driving time interval. The second optimum travel route includes a return travel route having a leading route end junction connected to the first optimum travel route and a trailing end point representative of the current position, and a detour travel route having a detour starting point where the vehicle starts to detour from the first optimum travel route and a detour ending point where the vehicle returns to the first optimum travel route.

Vehicle navigation apparatus and method

In traffic signal control for setting a green light time to a value between the lower limit time and the upper limit time in real time depending on a traffic volume sensed by vehicle sensors Sa, Sb, and so forth, the upper limit time G max is set longer with an increase of a traffic volume on an access road corresponding to a phase in question (Steps T 8 and T 9 ). This arrangement is effective for use at an intersection where a traffic volume in one direction is far heavier than in any other direction, and thereby makes it possible to forestall the occurrence of traffic jam (FIG. 6 ).

Traffic signal control method

A navigation apparatus stores road data which are formed by a network of internally stored road links and traveling costs corresponding to the respective ones of the internal road links. When the navigation apparatus receives traffic information corresponding to a specific external road link which is set for communication of traffic information, the apparatus identifies one or more internal links or portions thereof corresponding to the external link for which traffic information has been received, and the stored traveling costs are updated, on the basis of a conversion table. The traveling cost for an internal road link corresponding to a specific external link which is closed to traffic is updated to "∞". The apparatus searches for and identifies a route between an origin and a destination based on the updated traveling costs and the network of the road links. The internal links do not need to correspond directly to the external links, but rather may include more branch points for example. Traffic information of different types and for different links can be processed and assimilated for correspondence with the internal links.

Navigation apparatus for land vehicle inputting road traffic information

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a traffic signal controller, a computer program, and a traffic signal control method which enable appropriate traffic signal control parameters to be selected depending on traffic situations. SOLUTION: When the traffic signal controller 1 receives traveling time information of traffic control areas SEC1, SEC2 calculated based on track information of the on-board unit 5 from the traffic information processing unit 4, the traffic signal controller determines signal controlling parameters for each traveling time using a signal controlling parameter table stored in the memory. Since a cycle length, a split, and an offset in the determined signal controlling parameter are set so as to smooth the traffic most effectively, the traffic signal controller 1 can exert appropriate traffic signal control depending on traffic situations by changing the signal color of the traffic signal 2 based on the cycle length, split and offset. COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Traffic signal controller, computer program, and traffic signal control method

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To effectively suppress traffic congestion, by conducting traffic-actuated control so that a vehicle may be more likely to select a bypass route. SOLUTION: In the traffic signal controller 4 having a traffic-actuated control function for setting a signal control parameter so that traffic signal 1 in each of a plurality of intersections Ci cooperates each other, a congestion zone 10 in a control area, and a bypass route 12 providing an alternative route in the congestion zone are stored, and preferential control is performed to set the signal control parameter of each intersections Ci included in the bypass route 12, to reduce a signal waiting time in a bypass direction of the bypass route 12, compared with a direction opposite thereto, when the congestion occurs in the congestion zone 10. COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Shigeki Nishimura

Papers

Vehicle navigation apparatus and method

Traffic signal control method

Navigation apparatus for land vehicle inputting road traffic information

Traffic signal controller, computer program, and traffic signal control method

Traffic signal controller and control method