Showing papers on "Turn-by-turn navigation published in 2009"

Indoor Positioning and Navigation with Camera Phones

Abstract: This low-cost indoor navigation system runs on off-the-shelf camera phones. More than 2,000 users at four different large-scale events have already used it. The system uses built-in cameras to determine user location in real time by detecting unobtrusive fiduciary markers. The required infrastructure is limited to paper markers and static digital maps, and common devices are used, facilitating quick deployment in new environments. The authors have studied the application quantitatively in a controlled environment and qualitatively during deployment at four large international events. According to test users, marker-based navigation is easier to use than conventional mobile digital maps. Moreover, the users' location awareness in navigation tasks improved. Experiences drawn from questionnaires, usage log data, and user interviews further highlight the benefits of this approach.

Simulated augmented reality windshield display as a cognitive mapping aid for elder driver navigation

Abstract: A common effect of aging is decline in spatial cognition. This is an issue for all elders, but particularly for elder drivers. To address this driving issue, we propose a novel concept of an in-vehicle navigation display system that displays navigation information directly onto the vehicle's windshield, superimposing it on the driver's view of the actual road. An evaluation of our simulated version of this display shows that it results in a significant reduction in navigation errors and distraction-related measures compared to a typical in-car navigation display for elder drivers. These results help us understand how context-sensitive information and a simulated augmented reality representation can be combined to minimize the cognitive load in translating between virtual/information spaces and the real world.

Topology-aware navigation in large networks

Abstract: Applications supporting navigation in large networks are used every days by millions of people. They include road map navigators, flight route visualization systems, and network visualization systems using node-link diagrams. These applications currently provide generic interaction methods for navigation: pan-and-zoom and sometimes bird's eye views. This article explores the idea of exploiting the connection information provided by the network to help navigate these large spaces. We visually augment two traditional navigation methods, and develop two special-purpose techniques. The first new technique, called "Link Sliding", provides guided panning when continuously dragging along a visible link. The second technique, called "Bring & Go", brings adjacent nodes nearby when pointing to a node. We compare the performance of these techniques in both an adjacency exploration task and a node revisiting task. This comparison illustrates the various advantages of content-aware network navigation techniques. A significant speed advantage is found for the Bring & Go technique over other methods.

Personalized User Routing and Recommendations

Abstract: Methods and systems of personalizing navigation for a user on a computer system are generally disclosed. Example methods and systems can be arranged for evaluating user observation data received from a navigation device remote from the computer system over a network includes receiving, at the computer system, the user observation data and a route request associated with the user. A user identity associated with the route request can be determined based at least in part on the received user observation data. One or more preferences can be evaluated to select a specific preference associated with the user identity. A route can be compiled, on a processing module, based at least in part on the specific preference. The compiled route can be provided over the network to the navigation device.

Design, implementation and evaluation of a novel public display for pedestrian navigation: the rotating compass

Abstract: Important drawbacks of map-based navigation applications for mobile phones are their small screen size and that users have to associate the information provided by the mobile phone with the real word. Therefore, we designed, implemented and evaluated the Rotating Compass - a novel public display for pedestrian navigation. Here, a floor display continuously shows different directions (in a clockwise order) and the mobile phone informs the user when their desired direction is indicated. To inform the user, the mobile phone vibrates in synchronization with the indicated direction. We report an outdoor study that compares a conventional paper map, a navigation application running on a mobile device, navigation information provided by a public display, and the Rotating Compass. The results provide clear evidence of the advantages of the new interaction technique when considering task completion time, context switches, disorientation events, usability satisfaction, workload and multi-user support.

Autonomous Navigation of Vehicles from a Visual Memory Using a Generic Camera Model

Abstract: In this paper, we present a complete framework for autonomous vehicle navigation using a single camera and natural landmarks. When navigating in an unknown environment for the first time, usual behavior consists of memorizing some key views along the performed path to use these references as checkpoints for future navigation missions. The navigation framework for the wheeled vehicles presented in this paper is based on this assumption. During a human-guided learning step, the vehicle performs paths that are sampled and stored as a set of ordered key images, as acquired by an embedded camera. The visual paths are topologically organized, providing a visual memory of the environment. Given an image of the visual memory as a target, the vehicle navigation mission is defined as a concatenation of visual path subsets called visual routes. When autonomously running, the control guides the vehicle along the reference visual route without explicitly planning any trajectory. The control consists of a vision-based control law that is adapted to the nonholonomic constraint. Our navigation framework has been designed for a generic class of cameras (including conventional, catadioptric, and fisheye cameras). Experiments with an urban electric vehicle navigating in an outdoor environment have been carried out with a fisheye camera along a 750-m-long trajectory. Results validate our approach.

Landmark-Based Pedestrian Navigation with Enhanced Spatial Reasoning

Abstract: Computer vision techniques can enhance landmark-based navigation by better utilizing online photo collections. We use spatial reasoning to compute camera poses, which are then registered to the world using GPS information extracted from the image tags. Computed camera pose is used to augment the images with navigational arrows that fit the environment. We develop a system to use high-level reasoning to influence the selection of landmarks along a navigation path, and lower-level reasoning to select appropriate images of those landmarks. We also utilize an image matching pipeline based on robust local descriptors to give users of the system the ability to capture an image and receive navigational instructions overlaid on their current context. These enhancements to our previous navigation system produce a more natural navigation plan and more understandable images in a fully automatic way.

Glancing at personal navigation devices can affect driving: experimental results and design implications

Abstract: Nowadays, personal navigation devices (PNDs) that provide GPS-based directions are widespread in vehicles. These devices typically display the real-time location of the vehicle on a map and play spoken prompts when drivers need to turn. While such devices are less distracting than paper directions, their graphical display may distract users from their primary task of driving. In experiments conducted with a high fidelity driving simulator, we found that drivers using a navigation system with a graphical display indeed spent less time looking at the road compared to those using a navigation system with spoken directions only. Furthermore, glancing at the display was correlated with higher variance in driving performance measures. We discuss the implications of these findings on PND design for vehicles.

Managing navigation and history information

Abstract: History and navigation information in a computer application are managed by establishing a global context that can communicate with multiple resources, each of which resides in an associated local context State information from one or more of the local contexts is communicated to the global context, and global navigation information (for example, defining a drop-down history list or back/forward button states) is generated based on the communicated state information Using the global navigation information, a user of the computer application can move among previously visited resources in a global manner

Towards designing better maps for indoor navigation: experiences from a case study

Abstract: Recent development in indoor navigation systems and related studies imply that these applications will become common in the future. A variety of solutions utilizing different mediums is being developed. Lately, a range of mobile devices have started to support outdoor pedestrian navigation, and these devices presumably keep guiding the users also when moving indoors. However, the design patterns from the outdoor world do not necessarily work indoors. In order to understand the distinctive UI requirements of indoor navigation, we conducted a user study involving 23 people using a mobile phone-based, location-sensitive service. In this paper, we reveal our findings that the visualizations and UI designs resembling conventional outdoor maps or floor layouts are not optimal for indoor navigation, and present recommendations for the future design of indoor navigation systems.

Context-sensitive route generation system

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention describe systems and methods for automatically generating route(s) based on users' trip intent and conditions. A user enters his/her trip intent and conditions. A context-sensitive route generation system generates one or more routes based on information surrounding the user's trip intent, such as destination, time, means of transportation, purpose and identity(ies) of traveler(s), and conditions, such as user's limitations, needs, and preferences, for the user. Once the user chooses a route to follow, context-sensitive route generation system (CRGS) keeps track of user's movement and can modify the user's route when a need arises. The CRGS searches one or more networks and the system database(s) for profile and real-time (or instant) information for route generation, and continues to mine networks for information related to the trip to ensure the best route is recommended to the user. In one embodiment, profile and real-time information relevant to the trip is used in generating and modifying the route. In addition to generation, monitoring and updating route(s) for the user, the CRGS also can present advertisements of interest to the user for business and services along user's route.

Remote destination programming for vehicle navigation

Abstract: Remote destination programming enables a user to define a desired destination in advance of a journey. The destination may be stored in a user profile on a remote navigation server. It may be uploaded there via a web interface, or through landline or wireless telecom communications. Subsequently, for example beginning at a rental car agency, the navigation server supports navigation through any of several modes of operation, including a first mode in which the desired destination information is downloaded from the server so as to program target navigation equipment on-board the rental vehicle. In another mode, the user's GPS-enabled communication device interacts with the navigation server to upload periodic location data and receive turn-by-turn directions for the user. In this mode, there is no need for separate on-board navigation equipment to assist the user to the desired location.

A destination prediction method using driving contexts and trajectory for car navigation systems

Abstract: Car navigation systems provide the best route to a destination quickly and effectively. However, during daily driving, this information is not necessary since drivers already know the route to the destination very well. In addition, it is time-consuming for drivers to input the destination. Thus, our research group has proposed a new car navigation system that provides information related to the destination by predicting the user's destination automatically. We propose the use of a new method that predicts the destination on the basis of the driving trajectory and the contexts in which the user drives. A system that uses our method knows the destination without user interaction and provides information related to the correct destination.

Multiscale three-dimensional navigation

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for providing an end user with a multiscale three-dimensional (3D) navigation experience in design software application programs. An adaptive multiscale 3D navigation system allows an end user to transition between a planetary scale down to an individual building scale. The end user may navigate within the building, inspecting object details within the building. The size of the environment is sensed automatically, and the viewing and travel parameters are adjusted accordingly to provide the end user with a seamless navigation experience. A consistent navigation experience is supported at various scales, and real-time collision detection is provided. Scale computation for 3D scenes and collision detection may be based on a generated depth cubemap of the environment.

Navigation system with live speed warning for merging traffic flow

Abstract: A navigation method and navigation system (14) capable of taking into account the speed of a vehicle (10) traveling along a road segment (52) and providing an acoustic, visual and/or haptic warning or speed recommendation and/or recommendation to change lane or increase inter-vehicle distance to support effective lane merging situation as the vehicle approaches a merging region with another road segment (54) The navigation system (14) monitors the position and speed of a vehicle (10) in which the navigation system (14) is carried simultaneously determining or being provided with an average speed of vehicles traveling on another road segment which merges ahead The navigation system (14) communicates the average speed to the first vehicle and also recommends a speed change if the vehicles monitored speed does not equal the average speed traveling on the other road segment

Video Browsing Using Interactive Navigation Summaries

Abstract: A new approach for interactive video browsing is described. The novelty of the proposed approach is the flexible concept of interactive navigation summaries. Similar to time sliders, commonly used with standard soft video players, navigation summaries allow random access to a video. In addition, they also provide abstract visualizations of the content at a user-defined level of detail and, thus, quickly communicate content characteristics to the user. Navigation summaries can provide visual information about both low-level features but even high-level features. The concept fully integrates the user, who knows best which navigation summary at which level of detail could be most beneficial for his/her current video browsing task, and provide him/her a flexible set of navigation means. A first user study has shown that our approach can significantly outperform standard soft video players - the state-of-the art "poor man's" video browsing tool.

Methods and systems for testing navigation routes

Abstract: Various embodiments may include a method and system for testing data defining one or more navigation routes. A starting location may be input at a computer remote from the starting location. A destination location may also be input. Map data including GPS information based on the starting location input and the destination location input may be received. Route data may also be received. Based on the map data and the route data, data defining one or more navigation instructions may be generated for one or more routes. The one or more navigation instructions may be executed at the computer and compared to the map data. Based on the comparison, an accuracy of the navigation instructions may be determined. The data defining the navigation instructions may be corrected if the data is determined to be inaccurate.

Presentation of navigation instructions using variable levels of detail

Abstract: A navigation system is provided for instructing an operator of a vehicle. The navigation system includes a navigation processor configured to obtain a destination location, and to generate a proposed route to the destination location. The navigation system also includes a presentation element coupled to the navigation processor, the presentation element configured to provide navigation instructions to the operator. A selection module is coupled to or incorporated into the navigation processor, and the selection module is configured to select a cartographic resolution from a plurality of different cartographic resolutions, resulting in a selected cartographic resolution. The presentation element provides navigation instructions for at least a portion of the proposed route, using the selected cartographic resolution.

System and method for hybrid off-board navigation

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for hybrid off-board vehicle navigation are disclosed. In the system, a multi-stop route package is created and sent from a route server to a navigation device. The route package can include a collection of vehicle attributes and corresponding road restrictions for guiding the vehicle towards its destination. The server can optionally push the route package to the vehicle in an email message or other stored communication. When an off-route condition is detected, the navigation device can send a route request to the server that includes the vehicle attributes and the corresponding road restrictions. The server can respond with a partial route correction that is determined based on the vehicle attributes and road restrictions.

Human brain-teleoperated robot between remote places

Abstract: This paper describes an EEG-based human brain-actuated robotic system, which allows performing navigation and visual exploration tasks between remote places via internet, using only brain activity. In operation, two teleoperation modes can be combined: robot navigation and camera exploration. In both modes, the user faces a real-time video captured by the robot camera merged with augmented reality items. In this representation, the user concentrates on a target area to navigate to or visually explore; then, a visual stimulation process elicits the neurological phenomenon that enables the brain-computer system to decode the intentions of the user. In the navigation mode, the target destination is transferred to the autonomous navigation system, which drives the robot to the desired place while avoiding collisions with the obstacles detected by the laser scanner. In the camera mode, the camera is aligned with the target area to perform an active visual exploration of the remote scenario. In June 2008, within the framework of the experimental methodology, five healthy subjects performed pre-established navigation and visual exploration tasks for one week between two cities separated by 260km. On the basis of the results, a technical evaluation of the device and its main functionalities is reported. The overall result is that all the subjects were able to successfully solve all the tasks reporting no failures, showing a high robustness of the system.

Multiple route pre-calculation and presentation for a vehicle navigation system

Abstract: A navigation system and related operating methods are provided for instructing an operator of a vehicle. The navigation system obtains a destination location and generates a proposed route to the destination location. The proposed route is defined by one or more driver decision points and associated driving maneuvers. Before the vehicle reaches an approaching driver decision point, the navigation system pre-calculates alternate routes between the approaching driver decision point and the destination location, and saves the alternate routes for subsequent activation. Pre-calculated alternate routes can also be used to determine and indicate the relative importance of an approaching driving maneuver. The driver can consider the importance of driving maneuvers when deciding whether or not to follow the recommended route.

Method and apparatus for navigation system using routing data created by remote navigation server

Abstract: A navigation method and apparatus uses routing data created by a remote navigation server for a route guidance operation by an individual navigation system. The navigation method and apparatus makes use of the most currently updated map data and the high calculation power of the remote navigation server for creating the calculated route and utilizes the calculated route for the route guidance operation by the individual navigation system. The navigation method and apparatus decreases an amount of routing data indicating the calculated route by employing a concept of strategic road segments for sending the routing data to the individual navigation system. The individual navigation system recreates the calculated route based on the routing data received from the navigation server for the route guidance operation to the destination.

Integrated videos and maps for driving directions

Abstract: While onboard navigation systems are gaining in importance, maps are still the medium of choice for laying out a route to a destination and for way finding. However, even with a map, one is almost always more comfortable navigating a route the second time due to the visual memory of the route. To make the first time navigating a route feel more familiar, we present a system that integrates a map with a video automatically constructed from panoramic imagery captured at close intervals along the route. The routing information is used to create a variable speed video depicting the route. During playback of the video, the frame and field of view are dynamically modulated to highlight salient features along the route and connect them back to the map. A user interface is demonstrated to allow exploration of the combined map, video, and textual driving directions. We discuss the construction of the hybrid map and video interface. Finally, we report the results of a study that provides evidence of the effectiveness of such a system for route following.

User interface for dynamic user-defined stopovers during guided navigation ("side trips")

Abstract: A navigation device includes a route determiner module to formulate a first route from a first geographic location to a second geographic location. A route presentation module presents the first route to a user of the navigation device. A side trip presentation module presents a point-of-interest to the user of said navigation device and formulates a second route to said point-of- interest. An options module presents an option, during presentation of the first route, to recalculate the first route to the second geographic location to comprise the second route.

Route determining system for a vehicle with navigation system

Abstract: A system for determining an optimum route to a destination by a navigation system of a vehicle is provided. The system includes a navigation system, a remote information system, and a data communication network linking the navigation system and the remote information system. A method is also disclosed that includes the steps of establishing a communication connection between the navigation system and the remote information system, and determining the optimum route to the destination where the optimum route is determined based on requested information received from the remote information system.

Indoor Positioning System Using Beacon Devices for Practical Pedestrian Navigation on Mobile Phone

Abstract: In this paper, we propose a positioning system for indoor pedestrian navigation services using mobile phones. Position information services with a Global Positioning System (GPS) are widely used for car navigation and portable navigation. Their navigation systems facilitate development of industry and increase the convenience of civil life. However, such systems and services are available only for locations in which satellite signals can be received because users' self-positions are computed using GPS. Therefore, we developed a system for indoor environments, operating with a user's mobile terminal and battery-driven beacon devices in a server-less environment. Moreover, to provide convenient services using position information indoors, we developed an indoor navigation system that is useful in commercial facilities and office buildings. The system consists of smart phone and license-free radio beacon devices that can be driven with little electric power. In our proposed method, probabilistic estimation algorithms are applied to estimate self-positions in indoor locations, such as those where it is impossible to receive GPS signals. Feature of the system is that 2.5-dimensional indoor positioning is possible to calculate with low computational power device such as mobile phone. The system works autonomously, i.e., the user's device receives wireless beacon signals from the surrounding environment and can thereby detect a user's position independently from the mobile terminal, thereby obviating server-side computation.

Method and apparatus for automatically optimizing and setting a GPS reception period and map contents

Abstract: A method and apparatus for Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation is configured to automatically set an optimal GPS reception period and optimal map contents according to a moving speed of a user in a navigation system using a GPS terminal. When the moving speed of the user is considered, power efficiency is increased by optimizing a GPS reception period in terms of hardware and system load is decreased by reducing an unnecessary system operation in terms of software. User convenience is maximized by optimizing map contents requested by the user according to a moving speed in real time and displaying the optimized map contents.

Glance ahead navigation

Abstract: A navigation system that allows a user to easily glance ahead down a route to see points-of-interest (POI) such as businesses along future portions of a route. POIs within a short distance radius of a selected future exit or other future point along the user's route may be presented to the user via an appropriate display. The short distance radius may be defined by constraints associated with the display (e.g., within a represented distance from the exit that can be shown in a current zoom level of the display). Instead of abandoning a navigation session, use of glance ahead instead suspends navigation while the user views snapshots of points-of-interest at each exit. The navigation system may show branded icons or business details associated with displayed POIs, preferably without the need for the user to access a separate screen.

Going my way: a user-aware route planner

Abstract: Going My Way is a mobile user-aware route planner. The system collects GPS data of a user's everyday locations and provides directions from an automatically selected set of landmarks that are close to the destination, informed by the user's usual travel patterns. In this paper, we present a brief description of the system, the results of a preliminary experiment in memory and recognition of landmarks, in addition to the results of a user evaluation of the system.

Head-up display navigation device, system and method for implementing services

Abstract: A Head-Up Display (HUD) navigation system, a head-up display navigation device, and a method for implementing an HUD service are provided. The HUD navigation system includes a server, a mobile terminal, and an HUD navigation device. The server generates GPS route data using departure point data, destination data, and previously stored road information data. The mobile terminal requests the server to generate GPS route data and provides GPS route data transmitted from the server. The HUD navigation device compares the GPS route data provided from the mobile terminal with current GPS position data to generate navigation data and projects at least one of a horizontally mirrored image, a horizontally mirrored character, or a horizontally mirrored numeric value corresponding to at least part of the navigation data onto a windshield.