Map display device

• US 6,710,774 B1
• Filed: 05/01/2000
• Issued: 03/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Original Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Inventors: Fukumoto, Motohiro, Yamada, Kazuyoshi, Abou, Masatoshi, Kawasaki, Koji, Ichida, Takashi
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Phu K.
• Application Number:
  US09/563,243
• Time in Patent Office: 1,422 Days
• Field of Search: 345/419, 345/619, 701/208, 701/210, 701/212
• US Class Current: 345/419
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3638 including 3D objects and buildings three dimensional [3D] modelling, e.g. data description of 3D objects G06T17/00; geographic models G06T17/05
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 29/10 Map spot or coordinate position indicators; Map reading aids optical projection apparatus per se G03B

Abstract

A map display device, which imparts a perspective feeling to a route guidance line so that it can be easily viewed, when buildings and roads are three-dimensionally displayed. A map display device having a control unit for three-dimensionally displaying a map and further three-dimensionally displaying a route guidance line on a road on the map. When the route guidance line is hidden by a building, the control unit displays overlapped portion of the route guidance line in a color different from the color of the portions that are not overlapping. In particular, the control unit draws picture by a semitransparent method in which the color displaying the route guidance line and the color displaying the building are alternately changing with a pixel as a unit on the video RAM (VRAM). In this case, a positional relationship becomes clear between the route guidance line and the building, and the route guidance line can be seen more clearly.

Claims

1. A map display device for three-dimensionally displaying a map of facilities including at least one of a building and a road on a screen, the map display device comprising display control means for three-dimensionally displaying, by using a polygon, a design that represents traffic regulation information at a predetermined height above ground on the map on the screen, wherein the display control means displays the design in a form that corresponds to a view of the design seen from a viewing point on the map displayed on the screen, and when an angle of depression of a viewing direction from a viewing point to a particular point on the map exceeds a predetermined angle, the display control means changes the three-dimensional design, which represents the traffic regulation information, to a corresponding plane design.

2. A map display device according to claim 1, wherein the display control means three-dimensionally displays at least part of a guidance line on the map.

3. A map display device according to claim 2, wherein the display control means three-dimensionally displays the at least part of the guidance line by combining one or more three-dimensional drawings.

4. A map display device according to claim 2, wherein the display control means displays the at least part of the guidance line in a form that corresponds to a view of the at least part of the guidance line seen from a viewing point on the map displayed on the screen.

5. A map display device according to claim 2, wherein the display control means controls a display color of those portions of the guidance line that are to be hidden by the facilities in a color that is different from a color of any other portion of the guidance line.

6. A map display device according to claim 5, wherein the display control means displays, in a semitransparent manner, those portions of the guidance line that are hidden by the facilities.

7. A map display device according to claim 5, further comprising input means for selecting the execution of the display color control, wherein the display control means controls the display color based on a selection signal from the input means.

8. A map display device according to claim 5, wherein the display control means three-dimensionally displays the entire guidance line.

9. A map display device according to claim 2, wherein the display control means three-dimensionally displays each corresponding one of the facilities together with a facility identification mark on a surface of the facility.

10. A map display device according to claim 9, wherein the display control means displays each of the three-dimensionally displayed facilities in a corresponding form that corresponds to a view of the facility seen from a viewing point on the map displayed on the screen.

11. A map display device according to claim 1, wherein the map display device is for a vehicle navigation device.

12. A map display device for three-dimensionally displaying a map of facilities including at least one of a building and a road on a screen, the map display device comprising display control means for three-dimensionally displaying, by using a polygon, a design that represents traffic regulation information at a predetermined height above ground on the map on the screen, wherein the display control means displays a design in a form that corresponds to a view of the design seen from a viewing point on the map displayed on the screen, and when an angle of a viewing direction from a viewing point to the design, which represents the traffic regulation information, exceeds a predetermined angle, the display control means changes the three-dimensional design, which represents the traffic regulation information, to a corresponding plane design.

13. A map display device for three-dimensionally displaying a map of facilities including at least one of a building and a road on a screen, the map display device comprising display control means for three-dimensionally displaying, by using a polygon, a design that represents traffic regulation information at a predetermined height above ground on the map on the screen, wherein the display control means displays the design in a form that corresponds to a view of the design seen from a viewing point on the map displayed on the screen, and the display control means is also for displaying a plane design, which represents the same traffic regulation information as that of the three-dimensional design, simultaneously with the three-dimensional design.

14. A map display device for three-dimensionally displaying a map of facilities including at least one of a building and a road on a screen, the map display device comprising display control means for three-dimensionally displaying, by using a polygon, a design that represents traffic regulation information at a predetermined height above ground on the map on the screen and road information receiver means for receiving road traffic information, wherein:

the display control means displays the design in a form that corresponds to a view of the design seen from a viewing point on the map displayed on the screen;

the display control means three-dimensionally displays at least part of a guidance line on the map; and

the display control means three-dimensionally displays information such as traffic jam, congestion or vacancy on the road or along the road based upon traffic information received by the road information receiver means.

15. A map display device for three-dimensionally displaying a map of facilities including at least one of a building and a road on a screen, the map display device comprising display control means for three-dimensionally displaying, by using a polygon, a design that represents traffic regulation information at a predetermined height above ground on the map on the screen, wherein:

the display control means displays the design in a form that corresponds to a view of the design seen from a viewing point on the map displayed on the screen;

the display control means three-dimensionally displays at least part of a guidance line on the map;

the display control means three-dimensionally displays each corresponding one of the facilities together with a facility identification mark on a surface of the facility; and

the display control means displays an entrance/exit of each corresponding one of the three-dimensionally displayed facilities on a corresponding surface of the facility at a position that corresponds to a position of an entrance/exit of a corresponding real facility.

16. A map display device comprising:

map data storage means for storing map data;

display means for three-dimensionally displaying facilities on a map based upon the map data; and

selecting means for selecting one of;

a first display mode for displaying each of the facilities together with at least one character that represents a name of the facility on the map displayed on the display means; and

a second display mode for displaying each of the facilities without displaying any character that represents a name of the facility, wherein when the selecting means selects the first display mode, each of the facilities is displayed in one of a three-dimensional form with a reduced height and a plane form.

17. A map display device comprising:

map data storage means for storing map data;

display means for three-dimensionally displaying facilities on a map based upon the map data; and

selecting means for selecting one of;

a first display mode for displaying each of facilities in a three-dimensional form without modifying a height of the facility together with at least one character that represents a name of the facility on the map displayed on the display means; and

a second display mode for displaying each of the facilities in one of;

a three-dimensional form, which has a reduced height, together with at least one character that represents a name of the facility on the map displayed on the display means; and

a plane form together with at least one character that represents a name of the facility on the map displayed on the display means.

18. A map display device for a vehicle navigation device, wherein the map display device three-dimensionally displays facilities, which include at least one of a building and a road, on a screen in a form of a three-dimensional map and also displays a route guidance line, which leads to a destination, on the three-dimensional map, the map display device comprising:

display control means for three-dimensionally displaying at least part of the route guidance line on the three-dimensional map displayed on the screen; and

a switch data input unit, through which an altitude of a viewing point on the three-dimensional map is changed, wherein the display control means three-dimensionally displays the at least part of the route guidance line on the three-dimensional map in a form that changes consistently with the altitude of the viewing point that is changed through the switch data input unit.

19. A map display device according to claim 18, wherein the display control means three-dimensionally displays the at least part of the route guidance line on the three-dimensional map using a combination of:

a plane that is generally parallel to the horizontal plane of the three-dimensional map; and

a plane that is generally perpendicular to the horizontal plane of the three-dimensional map.

20. A map display device for a vehicle, wherein the map display device displays a three-dimensional map on a screen and also displays a cursor, which indicates a present position of the vehicle, on the three-dimensional map, the map display device comprising:

input means for inputting an altitude-changing instruction for changing an altitude of a viewing point on the three-dimensional map; and

screen control means for;

setting an altitude of the viewing point on the three-dimensional map based on the altitude-changing instruction, which is inputted through the input means; and

adjusting an angle of depression of a viewing direction from the viewing point on the three-dimensional map based on the set altitude of the viewing point, wherein;

the angle of depression of the viewing direction is adjusted such that when the altitude of the viewing point is increased to show a greater area on the three-dimensional map through operation of the input means toward an altitude-increasing side, a ratio of change in the angle of depression of the viewing direction on the three-dimensional map increases;

when the altitude of the viewing point is increased, a position of the cursor on the three-dimensional map moves toward an upper side of the three-dimensional map displayed on the screen and is displayed on the three-dimensional map as viewed from the viewing point;

the angle of depression of the viewing direction is also adjusted such that when the altitude of the viewing point is decreased to show a less area in greater detail on the three-dimensional map through operation of the input means toward an altitude-decreasing side, the ratio of change in the angle of depression of the viewing direction on the three-dimensional map decreases;

when the altitude of the viewing point is decreased, the position of the cursor on the three-dimensional map moves toward a lower side of the three-dimensional map displayed on the screen and is displayed on the three-dimensional map as viewed from the viewing point; and

when the viewing point substantially coincides with the present position of the vehicle through operation of the input means, the three-dimensional map is displayed on the screen as a driver'"'"'s view, and the cursor is not displayed on the three-dimensional map.

21. A map display device according to claim 20, wherein a viewing distance L between the viewing point and the present position of the vehicle indicated by the cursor on the three-dimensional map is expressed by the following equation:

22. A map display device according to claim 20, wherein the screen control means is capable of adjusting the viewing direction toward the upper side or the lower side independently of the altitude of the viewing point.

23. A map display device according to claim 20, wherein the screen control means adjusts the angle of depression θ

of the viewing direction in a manner that satisfies the following equation;

24. A map display device according to claim 20, wherein a particular point, which is located ahead of the viewing point along the viewing direction, on the three-dimensional map is one of:

the present position of the vehicle on the three-dimensional map; and

a point that is located ahead of the present position of the vehicle.

25. A map display device according to claim 20, wherein:

a coordinate of the center of the three-dimensional map displayed on the screen is denoted by (X, Y);

the position of the cursor on the three-dimensional map displayed on the screen is set by the screen control means as (X, N·

Y)

where;

N is a ratio of change of Y and is expressed by the following equation;

26. A map display device that displays a three-dimensional map on a screen, the map display device comprising:

input means for inputting an altitude-changing instruction for changing an altitude of a viewing point on the three-dimensional map; and

screen control means for;

setting an altitude of the viewing point on the three-dimensional map based on the altitude-changing instruction, which is inputted through the input means; and

adjusting an angle of depression of a viewing direction from the viewing point on the three-dimensional map based on the set altitude of the viewing point in such a manner that a ratio of change in the angle of depression of the viewing direction on the three-dimensional map is varied depending on the set altitude of the viewing point.

27. A map display device that displays a three-dimensional map on a screen, the map display device comprising:

input means for inputting an altitude-changing instruction for changing an altitude of a viewing point on the three-dimensional map; and

screen control means for;

setting an altitude of the viewing point on the three-dimensional map based on the altitude-changing instruction, which is inputted through the input means; and

adjusting an angle of depression of a viewing direction from the viewing point on the three-dimensional map based on the set altitude of the viewing point, wherein;

the angle of depression of the viewing direction is adjusted such that when the altitude of the viewing point is increased through operation of the input means toward an altitude-increasing side, a ratio of change in the angle of depression of the viewing direction on the three-dimensional map increases;

when the altitude of the viewing point is increased, the three-dimensional map is displayed as viewed from the viewing point at the increased altitude;

the angle of depression of the viewing direction is also adjusted such that when the altitude of the viewing point is decreased through operation of the input means toward an altitude-decreasing side, the ratio of change in the angle of depression of the viewing direction on the three-dimensional map decreases; and

when the altitude of the viewing point is decreased, the three-dimensional map is displayed as viewed from the viewing point at the decreased altitude.

28. A map display device according to claim 27, wherein:

when the altitude of the viewing point is increased through the operation of the input means toward the altitude-increasing side, the ratio of change in the angle of depression of the viewing direction logarithmically increases; and

when the altitude of the viewing point is decreased through the operation of the input means toward the altitude-decreasing side, the ratio of change in the angle of depression of the viewing direction logarithmically decreases.

29. A map display device according to claim 28, wherein:

the screen control means exponentially increases the altitude of the viewing point as a function of a number of altitude-changing instructions, which are inputted through the input means upon the operation of the input means toward the altitude-increasing side; and

the screen control means exponentially decreases the altitude of the viewing point as a function of a number of altitude-changing instructions, which are inputted through the input means upon the operation of the input means toward the altitude-decreasing side.

30. A map display device for a vehicle, wherein the map display device displays a three-dimensional map on a screen and also displays a cursor, which indicates a present position of the vehicle, on the three-dimensional map, the map display device comprising:

input means for inputting an altitude-changing instruction for changing an altitude of a viewing point on the three-dimensional map; and

screen control means for;

setting an altitude of the viewing point on the three-dimensional map based on the altitude-changing instruction, which is inputted through the input means; and

adjusting an angle of depression of a viewing direction from the viewing point on the three-dimensional map based on the set altitude of the viewing point, wherein;

the angle of depression of the viewing direction is adjusted such that when the altitude of the viewing point is increased to show a greater area on the three-dimensional map through operation of the input means toward an altitude-increasing side, a ratio of change in the angle of depression of the viewing direction on the three-dimensional map increases;

when the altitude of the viewing point is increased, a position of the cursor on the three-dimensional map moves toward an upper side of the three-dimensional map displayed on the screen and is displayed on the three-dimensional map as viewed from the viewing point;

the angle of depression of the viewing direction is also adjusted such that when the altitude of the viewing point is decreased to show a less area in greater detail on the three-dimensional map through operation of the input means toward an altitude-decreasing side, the ratio of change in the angle of depression of the viewing direction on the three-dimensional map decreases; and

when the altitude of the viewing point is decreased, the position of the cursor on the three-dimensional map moves toward a lower side of the three-dimensional map displayed on the screen and is displayed on the three-dimensional map as viewed from the viewing point.