NAVIGATION SYSTEM, ENLARGED INTERSECTION IMAGE DISPLAYING METHOD USED IN THE SYSTEM, AND MAP INFORMATION GENERATING METHOD
First Claim
1. An enlarged intersection image display method for a navigation system displaying an enlarged intersection image on a screen when a vehicle travels along a guidance path and approaches an intersection, the method comprising:
- defining a circle having a predetermined radius, wherein a center of the circle is set to a first intersection;
determining crossing points between the circle and an approach link and an exit link of the first intersection;
setting a direction connecting the approach link crossing point and the first intersection as an approach direction, and setting a direction connecting the first intersection and the exit link crossing point as an exit direction; and
drawing, on a screen of a display, an enlarged intersection image such that the approach direction is aligned with a 12 o'"'"'clock direction on the screen, and a traveling direction arrow extending from the approach direction toward the exit direction.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
When a vehicle travels along a guidance path and approaches an intersection, a vehicle navigation system determines crossing points between a circle having its center set to the intersection and a predetermined radius, and an approach link and an exit link for the intersection. The system also sets a direction connecting the crossing point for the approach link and the intersection as an approach direction, and sets a direction connecting the intersection and the crossing point for the exit link as an exit direction. The system determines a traveling direction at the intersection based on an angular difference between the approach direction and the exit direction, and determines a display position of the intersection on a screen. Further, an enlarged intersection image is drawn such that the approach direction is aligned with a 12 o'"'"'clock direction on the screen.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An enlarged intersection image display method for a navigation system displaying an enlarged intersection image on a screen when a vehicle travels along a guidance path and approaches an intersection, the method comprising:
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defining a circle having a predetermined radius, wherein a center of the circle is set to a first intersection; determining crossing points between the circle and an approach link and an exit link of the first intersection; setting a direction connecting the approach link crossing point and the first intersection as an approach direction, and setting a direction connecting the first intersection and the exit link crossing point as an exit direction; and drawing, on a screen of a display, an enlarged intersection image such that the approach direction is aligned with a 12 o'"'"'clock direction on the screen, and a traveling direction arrow extending from the approach direction toward the exit direction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A map information generating method for generating map information including voice information used to announce a traveling direction at an intersection, the method comprising:
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retrieving shape data from map information for each link connected to an intersection node; setting predetermined links as an approach link and an exit link; determining crossing points between a circle having a predetermined radius and its center set to a first intersection, and an approach link and an exit link; setting a direction connecting the crossing point for the approach link and the first intersection as an approach direction, and setting a direction connecting the first intersection and the crossing point for the exit link as an exit direction; calculating an angular difference between the approach direction and the exit direction; determining a traveling direction at the first intersection based on the calculated angular difference; determining a voice code for announcing the traveling direction; and adding the voice code to intersection data contained in the map information. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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13. A navigation system for displaying an enlarged intersection image on a screen when a vehicle travels along a guidance path and approaches an intersection, the system comprising:
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a guidance path memory configured to store a guidance path; an approach detecting unit configured to detect whether the vehicle is approaching a first intersection on the guidance path; an enlarged intersection image generating unit configured to determine crossing points between a circle having a predetermined radius with its center set to the first intersection, and an approach link and an exit link, set a direction connecting the crossing point for the approach link and the first intersection as an approach direction, set a direction connecting the first intersection and the crossing point for the exit link as an exit direction, generate an enlarged intersection image such that the approach direction is aligned with a 12 o'"'"'clock direction on a screen, and generate a traveling direction arrow extending from the approach direction toward the exit direction; and a display unit for displaying the enlarged intersection image. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification