The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 03, 2003
Filed:
Sep. 25, 2001
Yoshiyuki Mochizuki, Suita, JP;
Keiichi Senda, Takarazuka, JP;
Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., Osaka-Fu, JP;
Abstract
When a user indicates a portion of a map to be enlarged or contracted, a surface generating unit generates surfaces by gradually changing a surface from a first shape to a second shape, the first shape corresponding to a position of a map portion previously indicated and the second shape corresponding to a position of the map portion currently indicated. A mapping unit maps the map onto the generated surfaces in sequence, to obtain mapped images. A projecting/displaying unit sequentially projects the mapped images onto a flat virtual screen, and displays the projected images. Thus, the desired portion of the map can be enlarged/contracted, while maintaining connections of roads. Also, the map display can be transformed smoothly, even when the target of enlargement/contraction changes from one map portion to another according to the user's indications. This helps the user comprehend the contents of the map quickly and accurately.