Map and text display system for vehicle navigation

Abstract

A map display system includes a vehicle symbol positioned in relation to background map data, and provides a large amount of relevant, easy-to-read map data to a user in a brief period of time. A first feature of the invention involves the drawing of aircraft landing and take-off areas in true size and orientation relative to background map data. A second feature involves display of navigation control areas in relation to an aircraft symbol. In accordance with a third feature, a user can select for display only objects meeting preselected criteria, such as airports having runways of a minimum length. A user can select an object for which text appears on the screen adjacent to that object and which may indicate relative position or distance to such object from the vehicle, in accordance with a fourth feature. A user can select full screen text of information concerning an object on a screen display, in accordance with a fifth feature. A sixth feature provides an automatic alert for an increased oncoming minimum safe altitude for aircraft flight. In an seventh feature, background map data is held stationary while a vehicle symbol moves in relation to the background map data. An emergency aircraft mode of operation, in accordance with an eighth feature, causes automatic display of at least a predetermined number of suitable landing sites according to preselected criteria, such as minimum runway length. A ninth feature involves display of planned and actual travel patterns of a vehicle.