Map displaying method and apparatus, and navigation system having the map displaying apparatus

• US 6,341,254 B1
• Filed: 08/17/2000
• Issued: 01/22/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Clarion Co., Ltd. (Faurecia SA)
• Original Assignee: Xanavi Informatics Corporation (Hitachi, Ltd.)
• Inventors: Endo, Yoshinori, Nakamura, Kozo, Okude, Mariko, Gunji, Yasuhiro
• Primary Examiner(s): Issing, Gregory C.
• Application Number:
  US09/640,522
• Time in Patent Office: 523 Days
• Field of Search: 701/208, 342/357.13, 345/422, 345/425
• US Class Current: 701/208
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3635 Guidance using 3D or perspective road maps
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3848 Data obtained from both position sensors and additional sensors
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 29/10 Map spot or coordinate position indicators; Map reading aids optical projection apparatus per se G03B
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 29/106 using electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 5/06 with both visual and audible presentation of the material to be studied

Abstract

The present invention is related to a stereoscopic map displaying method beneficial for a navigation system in which map information is selected from a map database according to a current location of a mobile object. The map database for storing map information comprises a plurality of types of information regarding a first map mesh provided with height information and a second map mesh with no height information wherein there is provided information for identifying that the second map mesh has no height information.

Claims

1. A map database for storing map information which comprises a plurality of types of information regarding a first map mesh provided with height information and a second map mesh with no height information, comprising at least:

said height information as to the first map mesh; and

information for identifying that said second map mesh has no height information.