Map displaying device

• US 8,103,447 B2
• Filed: 04/28/2011
• Issued: 01/24/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Panasonic Corporation (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Kindo, Tsuyoshi, Kudoh, Takahiro, Akita, Takashi
• Primary Examiner(s): ARTHUR JEANGLAUDE, GERTRUDE
• Application Number:
  US13/096,313
• Publication Number:
  US 20110213552A1
• Time in Patent Office: 271 Days
• Field of Search: 701/66, 701/206, 701/208, 701/209, 701/211, 701/212, 340/995.14, 340/995.15, 340/995.16, 340/995.17, 340/995.26, 340/995.27
• US Class Current: 701/208
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3407 specially adapted for specific applications
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3667 Display of a road map G01C21/3614 takes precedence; guidance using 3D or perspective road maps G01C21/3635
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3697 Output of additional, non-guidance related information, e.g. low fuel level G01C21/3679 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 29/00 Maps; Plans; Charts; Diagrams, e.g. route diagram star maps G09B27/04; devices for holding or supporting maps A47B97/02; for computing purposes G06G1/14, G09B1/16; display boards G09F
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 29/007 using computer methods
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 29/10 Map spot or coordinate position indicators; Map reading aids optical projection apparatus per se G03B

Abstract

A map displaying device for displaying an accessible range in an arbitrary display form determined in accordance with the scale of a displayed map and/or with the running state of a vehicle is provided. The map displaying device includes: a display unit for displaying map information stored in a map database; a search unit for calculating travel time information regarding a travel time to an arbitrary point accessible from a reference point; and a time information drawing unit for displaying the travel time information in a superimposed manner on the display unit by varying a display form in accordance with the scale of a map and/or with the running state of a user'"'"'s vehicle.

Claims

1. A map displaying device comprising:

a display means for displaying map information stored in a map database;

a search means for calculating travel time information regarding a travel time to an arbitrary point accessible from a reference point;

a time information drawing means for displaying, in a superimposed manner on a map displayed on the display means, the travel time information; and

an input means for inputting an instruction,

wherein the travel time information determined by the search means is changed to travel time information regarding a travel time or a travel time period determined in accordance with an instruction, inputted by the input means, to move the arbitrary point.

2. The map displaying device according to claim 1,

wherein the time information drawing means displays the travel time information by sequentially drawing, in a radiating manner, travel times or travel time periods in accordance with large/small relationships among the travel times or among the travel time periods, respectively.

3. The map displaying device according to claim 1,

wherein the time information drawing means displays the travel time information by performing drawing effects different between an inside and an outside of a line indicating a predetermined travel time or of a zone indicating a predetermined travel time period.

4. The map displaying device according to claim 1,

wherein the input means is a touch panel such that the time information drawing means displays the travel time information specified by the touch panel, as the travel time information regarding a travel time or a travel time period determined in accordance with a pressed position moving across the touch panel.

5. The map displaying device according to claim 1,

wherein a slider bar capable of changing the displayed travel time information is displayed on the display means, and

wherein the time information drawing means displays the travel time information determined in accordance with a setting, set by the input means, of the slider bar.