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Navigation system

  • US 5,402,120 A
  • Filed: 08/18/1993
  • Issued: 03/28/1995
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/18/1993
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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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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