An evaluation information collecting system compares a standard moving state estimated using environment information about the periphery of the current location of a mobile object with a current moving state estimated using mobile object information indicating a moving state of the mobile object, and in a case in which there is a difference between both states, acquires evaluation information pieces existing within a preset map range including the current location, and in a case in which the number of acquired evaluation information pieces is less than a threshold, decides to make an inquiry so as to collect evaluation information.

A map data storage method for acquiring map data content used in a subject vehicle and storing the map data content in a common database by using a controller is provided. This method includes converting a format of the acquired map data content to a predetermined format that can be used in the subject vehicle, storing the map data content converted into the predetermined format in the common database, acquiring update information regarding the map data content stored in the common database, and editing the map data content in the predetermined format stored in the common database on the basis of the acquired update information.

A map data storage method for acquiring map data content used in a subject vehicle and storing the map data content in a common database by using a controller is provided. This method includes converting a format of the acquired map data content to a predetermined format that can be used in the subject vehicle, storing the map data content converted into the predetermined format in the common database, acquiring update information regarding the map data content stored in the common database, and editing the map data content in the predetermined format stored in the common database on the basis of the acquired update information.

Embodiments of the invention relate to methods for providing information relevant to using a public transportation system (PTS), the method comprising: receiving data relevant to the PTS responsive to a first user while the first user is using the PTS; and providing data relevant to the PTS to at least one of the first and a second user responsive to the received data. The received data may relate to at least one of physically relevant features and socially relevant features of the PTS. Providing data relevant to the PTS may comprise displaying information on a map comprising at least one icon indicative of a PTS vehicle and at a route of travel.

Embodiments of the invention relate to methods for providing information relevant to using a public transportation system (PTS), the method comprising: receiving data relevant to the PTS responsive to a first user while the first user is using the PTS; and providing data relevant to the PTS to at least one of the first and a second user responsive to the received data. The received data may relate to at least one of physically relevant features and socially relevant features of the PTS. Providing data relevant to the PTS may comprise displaying information on a map comprising at least one icon indicative of a PTS vehicle and at a route of travel.

An image processing apparatus included in a vehicle comprises: a division section that is configured to divide into a plurality of areas, a captured image sequentially captured by an imaging device that captures images around the vehicle; an importance set section that is configured to set an importance level for each of the areas; and a compression section that is configured to compress the captured image for each of the areas.

An image processing apparatus included in a vehicle comprises: a division section that is configured to divide into a plurality of areas, a captured image sequentially captured by an imaging device that captures images around the vehicle; an importance set section that is configured to set an importance level for each of the areas; and a compression section that is configured to compress the captured image for each of the areas.

Forecasting a mobile body distribution situation after a prescribed time by forecasting an excursion action of a mobile body on the basis of an inter-facility movement correlation of the mobile body. A server system includes an inter-facility movement computation part for computing a facility staying time estimate, an inter-facility movement time estimate, and an inter-facility movement correlation on the basis of a trend in past position information from the mobile body, a plurality of pieces of facility information, and map information wherein a road map is included; a receiving part for receiving present position information of a plurality of the mobile bodies; and a mobile body distribution situation forecast part for forecasting the distribution situation of the mobile bodies after a prescribed time on the basis of the inter-facility movement correlation and the present position information of the plurality of mobile bodies.

Forecasting a mobile body distribution situation after a prescribed time by forecasting an excursion action of a mobile body on the basis of an inter-facility movement correlation of the mobile body. A server system includes an inter-facility movement computation part for computing a facility staying time estimate, an inter-facility movement time estimate, and an inter-facility movement correlation on the basis of a trend in past position information from the mobile body, a plurality of pieces of facility information, and map information wherein a road map is included; a receiving part for receiving present position information of a plurality of the mobile bodies; and a mobile body distribution situation forecast part for forecasting the distribution situation of the mobile bodies after a prescribed time on the basis of the inter-facility movement correlation and the present position information of the plurality of mobile bodies.

A method for navigating a user between a first position within a building and a second position, or vice versa, includes creating, by a motor vehicle, map information describing at least one partial area of the building based on vehicle environment information created at the motor vehicle that describes objects in the environment around the motor vehicle. The method further includes providing, by the motor vehicle, parking information including a park position of the motor vehicle within the building and transferring the map information and the parking information to a mobile communication device. The mobile communication device is configured to create navigation information containing at least one navigation route between the first position and the second position, based on the transferred map information and the transferred parking information. The mobile communication device is configured to navigate the user between the first position and the second position using the navigation information.