Navigation system
First Claim
1. A navigation system comprising:
- a display unit;
means for computing from map information an optimal route from a starting point to a destination, the optimal route including a plurality of intersections;
said means for computing identifying a one of said intersections as a next intersection;
means for storing a plurality of direction indication images;
each of said direction indication images having a proximal portion that represents a road leading to said next intersection;
each of said direction indication images having further a direction indication portion that extends in a straight line from a distal end of said proximal portion;
first means for selecting from said means for storing, a first direction indication image having a direction indication portion that corresponds to a first road that a vehicle is to enter at said next intersection, said first direction indication image being a primary direction indication image;
second means for selecting from said means for storing, at least one second direction indication image having a direction indication portion that corresponds to at least one other road connected to said next intersection, said at least one second direction indication image being an at least one auxiliary direction indication image;
means for locating a present position of said vehicle;
means for identifying, cooperating with said means for locating, said means for storing, and said means for computing, to identify said next intersection on said optimal route;
means for displaying said primary direction indication image and said at least one auxiliary direction indication image on said display unit;
said primary direction indication image and said at least one auxiliary direction indication image being displayed to contrast with each other;
said primary direction indication image being more prominently displayed than said at least one auxiliary direction indication image;
said at least one auxiliary direction indication image being displayed so that said direction indication portion of said at least one auxiliary direction indication image extends from said distal end;
said second means for selecting choosing, from a plurality of auxiliary direction indication images each having a direction indication portion that corresponds to said at least one other road, only those auxiliary direction indication images that are spaced from said primary direction indication image at an angle not greater than a specified angle;
a plurality of direction indication portions of said auxiliary direction indication images indicating directions circumferentially spaced a predetermined angle from one another, an integer multiple of said predetermined angle being 360 degrees; and
said second means for selecting selecting only auxiliary direction indication images each spaced said predetermined angle from said primary direction indication image.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A navigation system mounted on a vehicle displays a primary direction indication image on a display unit. This primary direction indication image has a proximal portion that represents a road along which the vehicle is now moving and a direction indication portion that represents a road which the vehicle is to enter at the next intersection. One or more auxiliary direction indication images, with direction indication portions that represent other roads connected to the next intersection, are displayed on the display unit together with the primary direction indication image. The direction indication portion of the auxiliary direction indication image extends from the distal end of the proximal portion of the primary direction indication image.
69 Citations
4 Claims
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1. A navigation system comprising:
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a display unit; means for computing from map information an optimal route from a starting point to a destination, the optimal route including a plurality of intersections; said means for computing identifying a one of said intersections as a next intersection; means for storing a plurality of direction indication images; each of said direction indication images having a proximal portion that represents a road leading to said next intersection; each of said direction indication images having further a direction indication portion that extends in a straight line from a distal end of said proximal portion; first means for selecting from said means for storing, a first direction indication image having a direction indication portion that corresponds to a first road that a vehicle is to enter at said next intersection, said first direction indication image being a primary direction indication image; second means for selecting from said means for storing, at least one second direction indication image having a direction indication portion that corresponds to at least one other road connected to said next intersection, said at least one second direction indication image being an at least one auxiliary direction indication image; means for locating a present position of said vehicle; means for identifying, cooperating with said means for locating, said means for storing, and said means for computing, to identify said next intersection on said optimal route; means for displaying said primary direction indication image and said at least one auxiliary direction indication image on said display unit; said primary direction indication image and said at least one auxiliary direction indication image being displayed to contrast with each other; said primary direction indication image being more prominently displayed than said at least one auxiliary direction indication image; said at least one auxiliary direction indication image being displayed so that said direction indication portion of said at least one auxiliary direction indication image extends from said distal end; said second means for selecting choosing, from a plurality of auxiliary direction indication images each having a direction indication portion that corresponds to said at least one other road, only those auxiliary direction indication images that are spaced from said primary direction indication image at an angle not greater than a specified angle; a plurality of direction indication portions of said auxiliary direction indication images indicating directions circumferentially spaced a predetermined angle from one another, an integer multiple of said predetermined angle being 360 degrees; and said second means for selecting selecting only auxiliary direction indication images each spaced said predetermined angle from said primary direction indication image. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A navigation system comprising:
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a display unit; means for computing from map information an optimal route from a starting point to a destination, said optimal route including a plurality of intersections; said means for computing identifying a one of said intersections as a next intersection; means for storing a plurality of groups of direction indication patterns; each of said groups having a plurality of members; each of said members having a straight proximal portion representing a road leading to said next intersection and a direction indication portion that extends straight from a distal end of said proximal portion; said direction indication portion of a one of said members being spaced a predetermined angle from said direction indication portion of an adjacent one of said members; an integer multiple of said predetermined angle being 360 degrees; at least one member of each group having only a primary direction indication image; other members of each group having other direction indication patterns; each of said other direction indication patterns having said primary direction indication image and an auxiliary direction indication image; said auxiliary direction indication image extending straight from a distal end of said primary direction indication image; said auxiliary direction indication image being displayed to contrast with said primary direction indication image; an angle between said auxiliary direction indication image and said primary direction indication image being equal to said predetermined angle; means for locating a present position of said vehicle; means for identifying, cooperating with said means for locating, said means for storing, and said means for computing, to identify said next intersection on said optimal route; means for selecting said primary direction indication image having said direction indication portion that corresponds to a first road that a vehicle is to enter at said next intersection; means for determining whether there exists an other road represented by said auxiliary direction indication image spaced said predetermined angle from said direction indication portion of said specified primary direction indication image; wherein, if said means for determining finds said other road, said means for selecting selects said member having said auxiliary direction indication image corresponding to said other road and said primary direction indication image corresponding to said first road; and means for displaying causes said member to be displayed on said display unit. - View Dependent Claims (4)
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Specification