Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.

Yoshiki Ueyama

Kiyomi Sakamoto

Takeshi Yagyu

Teruaki Ata

Yasuhiro Ihara

Makoto Fushimi

Hiroyuki Hamada

Yutaka Takahira

Atsushi Yamashita

Mitsuhiro Yamashita

Nobuhiko Yasui

Yasuhiro Nakamura

Akihiro Suzuki

Akira Ishida

Nobuyuki Nakano

Atsushi Iisaka

Hisaya Fukuda

Isao Ogawa

A model transforming data generating portion extracts parameter data corresponding to a given road area from two-dimensional map data in a two-dimensional map data storage portion . Subsequently, the model transforming data generating portion reads out pattern data corresponding to the specified road area from a pattern model storage portion and generates model transforming data. An image data generating portion transforms a corresponding three-dimensional map display model by using the generated model transforming data to generate three-dimensional image data. The generated three-dimensional image data is given to and displayed in a display . The operator operates an input portion on the basis of the contents displayed in the display to correct the generated model transforming data.

Storage medium for use with a three-dimensional map display device

A terminal device for reading a cartographic file in which updating one cartographic file does not require updating cartographic files in the neighboring units. For this purpose, cartographic files which represent respective units extracted by dividing a map into a plurality of areas each comprise node records generated for respective nodes and link records generated for respective links. Given node records contain coordinate information about neighboring nodes which define connections of roads between its unit and a neighboring unit. The cartographic files are stored in a first storage device. The data processing portion executes a process of searching for a route by using the cartographic files. During the route search, the data processing portion traces the connection from a road in one unit to a road in another, neighboring, unit on the basis of the coordinate information about the neighboring nodes of said one unit and said neighboring another unit.

Data structure of digital map file

Three-dimensional map navigation display method

A model transforming data generating portion extracts parameter data corresponding to a given road area from two-dimensional map data in a two-dimensional map data storage portion Subsequently, the model transforming data generating portion reads out pattern data corresponding to the specified road area from a pattern model storage portion and generates model transforming data. An image data generating portion transforms a corresponding three-dimensional map display model by using the generated model transforming data to generate three-dimensional image data. The generated three-dimensional image data is given to and displayed in a display The operator operates an input portion on the basis of the contents displayed in the display to correct the generated model transforming data.

Three-dimensional map navigation display device and device for creating data used therein

In a navigation apparatus, a CPU searches for a plurality of routes from a starting point to a destination. These routes share the same starting point and the destination, but vary in their course along the way. Then for route selection, the CPU refers to position information provided by a locator to determine on which of the routes the user is now moving. In this manner, the navigation apparatus can automatically select one route from several derived through the route search.

Navigation apparatus

In a navigation apparatus Anavil, a CPU searches for a plurality of routes from a starting point to a destination. Those route share the same starting point and the destination, but vary in course on the way. Then for route selection, the CPU refers to position information provided by a locator to determine which route the user is now moving. In this manner, the navigation apparatus can automatically select one route from several others derived through route search.

In order to implement a navigation device in which landmarks are much less monotonous, and the applicability thereof is wider, the navigation device of the present invention operates as follows. A landmark is displayed in either normal display (still) and emphatic display (animated) by referring to landmark information. Specifically, referring to for normal display is shape information and positional information in the landmark information, and for emphatic display, an emphatic display execution file therein is referred to. For emphatic display, a group of instruction described in the emphatic display execution file are interpreted and executed so that the landmark is animated.

Navigation device

A navigation device at least includes a CPU and a detector generating a detection signal for determining whether a main device is used inside a vehicle or not. If determining, based on the detection signal from the detector, that the main device is used inside the vehicle, the CPU operates in on-vehicle mode to carry out first navigation (present position estimation and route search) suitable for use in the vehicle. Otherwise, the CPU operates in off-vehicle mode to carry out second navigation (present position estimation and route search) suitable for use outside of the vehicle. Thus, the navigation device can automatically switch its operation mode between on-vehicle mode and off-vehicle mode.

In a navigation device assisting a driver of a vehicle to drive safely by presenting accurate information at the right time what is going on around his/her vehicle, an obstacle detection part detects any obstacle with the help of external information monitored by an external monitor part. By utilizing the vehicle's current position detected by an input part and a position detection part, and map data stored in a map data storage part, a route selection part searches for a route to a destination. Based on thus found route, current position, map data, and the external information from the obstacle detection part, a guiding part performs route guidance to the destination. A map data arranging part refers to the map data, information from the obstacle detection part and the input part, and object model display information from the object model display information storage part, and arranges any applicable object model onto a map data space. A display accordingly displays guidance information together with the resulting map image.

Three-dimensional map navigation display device and device and method for creating data used therein

A vehicle position calculation unit ( ) calculates a position of a vehicle on a plan view, and an estimate locus calculation unit ( ) calculates an estimate movement locus of a vehicle body when the vehicle is moved at a maximum steering angle with respect to the vehicle position, and a display unit ( ) displays the vehicle position calculated by the vehicle position calculation unit ( ) together with the estimate locus of the vehicle body calculated by the estimate locus calculation unit ( ). Thus, even a beginner driver of the vehicle can easily and quickly park the vehicle with accuracy and safety while monitoring the estimate movement locus of the vehicle on the display screen.

Parking conduct device and parking conduct method

In a route selection process, an optimal route searcher refers to a traffic light flag included in route selecting data stored in a second storage to see whether a target intersection has any traffic light or not. When the optimal route searcher determines that the target intersection has a traffic light s, a traffic light cost calculator calculates a traffic light cost relevant to a waiting time due to the traffic light s. Based on the traffic light cost thus calculated by the traffic light cost calculator , the optimal route searcher calculates a passage cost relevant to a time taken for passing the target intersection. In this manner, with consideration for the waiting time due to the traffic light, a time for going through an entire route can be estimated with higher correctness, thereby rendering the route thus searched more optimal.

Route selection method and system

In areas where composite intersection traffic regulation exits, nodes and links for use in the conventional network are separated into a plurality of nodes and links, respectively. For example, one node is separated into N1a to N1c, and one link is separated into L1a to L1c. Then, the whole road network is represented by separating the network into a road network (L1a, L2a, L3a, L4a, L5a, N1a, N2a) in view of entering links (L1a, L3a) which the composite intersection traffic regulation does not affect, and road networks .alpha. (L1b, L2b, L3b, L4b, N1b, N2b) and .beta. (L1c, L2c, L3c, L5c, N1c, N2c) in view of entering links (L4b, L5c) which the composite intersection traffic regulation affects, and one-way traffic regulations are set on suitable links to allow for a representation of the composite intersection transfer regulation. Use of such map data enables selections which are compliant with the composite intersection traffic regulation without requiring a specific processing at the time of the search processing.

Method and apparatus for searching a route

A route selection data storage unit 7 stores route selection data which are created from original data describing a detailed road system. When a plurality of crossings and a plurality of roads which are expressed on the road system in the original data satisfy prescribed conditions, these crossings and roads are integrated with each other respectively and recorded in the route selection data. The route selection data include a passage link table, so that links which are deleted by integration of the crossings are not missed. The passage link table records links which are deleted due to the integration of the crossings but passed in practice with reference to approach and escape links as to the respective crossings integrated with each other. An optimum route search unit 6 searches for the optimum route between a starting place and a destination which are designated by a position detection unit and/or a spot input unit 5 through the route selection data. When the optimum route obtained through the search passes through the integrated crossings, the optimum route search unit 6 supplements the deleted links with corresponding passage links recorded in the passage link table.

Route selection system and method utilizing integrated crossings, a

Road network data is divided into a plurality of road network areas and one or a plurality of routes are obtained between the divided road network areas. The obtained routes are stored into a route data storage device 1. When a starting point and a destination are specified from a point input device 2, an area investigating device 3 investigates two road network areas to which the points belong. A route retrieving device 4 retrieves the route data corresponding to the combination of the obtained two road network areas from the route data storage device 1. A peripheral route searching device 8 searches for connecting routes in the road network areas to which the starting point and the destination belong, on the basis of the road network data stored in the road network data storage device 7. Further, the peripheral route searching device 8 produces the entire route from the starting point to the destination by using the route data retrieved from the route data storage device 1 and the connecting routes searched for in the vicinities of the starting point and the destination and presents the route to a user through an output device 6. This way, routes between arbitrary two road network areas are obtained in advance and stored as route data. When a starting point and a destination are specified, the route data between the corresponding road network areas are retrieved and a route from the starting point to the destination is presented on the basis of the retrieved route data. Thus the route can be searched for in an instant.

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Sakai, Japan

Yoshiki Ueyama