Route guidance display device

• US 4,937,570 A
• Filed: 02/26/1988
• Issued: 06/26/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha (Mitsubishi Electric Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha (Mitsubishi Electric Corporation)
• Inventors: Arai, Hirotsugu, Matsukawa, Fumio, Mizutani, Yoshisada
• Primary Examiner(s): Crosland, Donnie L.
• Application Number:
  US07/160,810
• Time in Patent Office: 851 Days
• Field of Search: 340/905, 340/988, 340/995, 340/815.1, 340/705, 340/795, 340/765, 340/754, 340/994, 340/438, 340/461, 340/412
• US Class Current: 340/905
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3632 Guidance using simplified or iconic instructions, e.g. using arrows G01C21/365 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0969 having a display in the form of a map
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/0472 Traffic signs
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 9/35 being liquid crystals G09F9/302 takes precedence; liquid crystal materials C09K19/00; liquid crystal panels comprising a number of electrodes in a single cell per se G02F1/13

Abstract

A route guidance display device for an automotive vehicle capable of displaying route patterns with a three-dimensional effect to enhance the viewer'"'"'s comprehension of the road route situation being encountered. The display device includes a plurality of intersecting display segments indicative of corresponding possible route configurations. A depth-enhancing segment is included in a portion indicating the straight-ahead route. An intersection name display section may be separately included to display the name and related information regarding an intersection laying ahead.

Claims

1. An on-board route guidance display device for a motor vehicle comprising:

a plurality of display segments arranged in pattern corresponding to a predetermined road route pattern, said display segments intersecting at a predetermined position, and display segments being arranged to provide a viewer with a perception of depth, at least two of said display segments in a position corresponding to a straight-ahead route being stacked one on the other for providing a depth-enhancing effect; and

a plurality of route guidance indicators arranged upon at least predetermined ones of said display segments, wherein said display segments can be activated in a desired combination to indicate a pattern of road routes being encountered by said vehicle.

2. The route guidance display device of claim 1, wherein said road route patterns include both plane intersecting patterns and overpass intersecting patterns.

3. The route guidance display device of claim 1, wherein said at least two of said display segments are of different display colors.

4. In a route guidance display system for a motor vehicle, said route guidance display system having an external memory programmed with map data including intersections and main routes, a display device for displaying said map-data, an input device for inputting a starting point and a destination onto a map displayed on said display device, sensor means for detecting a distance and direction of travel of said vehicle, and data processing means for processing display data based on map data from said external memory, data inputted from said input device, and information outputted from said sensors to provide a driver information regarding the current position of said vehicle, congestion on said main routes, a best route to said destination, and a configuration and name of a next intersection;

and a route guidance display device comprising;

an intersection configuration display section for displaying said configurations of intersections, and an intersection name display section for displaying said names of intersections, both said display sections being provided on a common display panel having a predetermined number of display colors, said intersections configuration display section being separate from said device for displaying said map data.

5. The route guidance display system of claim 4, wherein said display panel comprises a liquid crystal display panel.

6. The route guidance display system of claim 5, wherein said predetermined number of display colors in two display colors inclusive of combinations of said two display colors.

7. The route guidance display system of claim 5, wherein said intersection configuration display section comprises a plurality of segment patterns, and said intersection name display section comprises a plurality of dot matrix patterns.