U.S. patent application number 09/402235 was filed with the patent office on 2002-01-31 for navigation device.
Invention is credited to Kusama, Toshiki.
Application Number | 20020013659 09/402235 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26439191 |
Filed Date | 2002-01-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020013659 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kusama, Toshiki |
January 31, 2002 |
Navigation device
Abstract
The present invention is adapted to a navigation device which
performs 3 dimensional display when approaching an intersection.
The navigation device of the present invention comprises a map
database which stores a number of vehicle lanes of a road which
enters an intersection, a road width display database which
decreases each vehicle lane width and increases the width of the
total road depending on a number of vehicle lanes on a road, a road
width display data extraction means which extracts a number of
vehicle lanes of a road which enters a corresponding intersection
from a map database when approaching an intersection and which
extracts road width display data corresponding to an extracted
number of vehicle lanes from said road width display data base and
a display means which carries out display based on said extracted
road width display data. In this way, it is easy to directly
understand the number of vehicle lanes and such a display is easy
to view.
Inventors: |
Kusama, Toshiki; (Tokyo,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Birch Stewart Kolasch & Birch
PO Box 747
Falls Church
VA
22040-0747
US
|
Family ID: |
26439191 |
Appl. No.: |
09/402235 |
Filed: |
October 1, 1999 |
PCT Filed: |
June 12, 1998 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP98/02605 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
701/437 ;
340/995.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01C 21/3635 20130101;
G01C 21/3658 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
701/211 ;
701/208; 340/995 |
International
Class: |
G01C 021/30 |
Claims
1. A navigation device which performs 3 dimensional display when
approaching an intersection which comprises a map database which
stores a number of vehicle lanes of a road which enters said
intersection, a road width display database which stores road width
display data which reduces a width of each vehicle lane and
increases the width of the total road depending on a number of
vehicle lanes on said road, a road width display data extraction
means which extracts a number of vehicle lanes on a road which
enters a subject intersection from said map database when
approaching said intersection and which extracts road width display
data corresponding to a number of extracted vehicle lanes from said
road width display database, and a display means which performs
display based on road width display data extracted by said road
width display data extraction means.
2. A navigation device which performs 3 dimensional display when
approaching an intersection which comprises a map database which
stores categories of data which discriminate each vehicle lane of a
road which enters said each intersection into at least a straight
lane, a right hand lane, a left hand lane and a branching lane, a
sign designation means which extracts said categories of data from
said map database on approaching said intersection and which
designates a sign corresponding to categories of data with respect
to each vehicle lane based on extracted categories of data, and a
display means which performs display based on sign designated by
said sign designation means.
3. A navigation device which performs 3 dimensional display when
approaching an intersection which comprises a map database which
stores vehicle lane data about a road which enters each said
intersection, a vehicle lane information extraction means which
extracts vehicle lane information about a road which enters an
intersection in question from said map database on approaching said
intersection and a display means which displays only vehicle lane
information about entering roads extracted by said vehicle lane
information extraction means as vehicle lane information.
4. A navigation device according to claim 1 which comprises a lane
information storage determination means which determines on
approaching an intersection whether or not lane information is
stored in a map database, said map database storing lane
information of roads which enter each intersection and destination
names of roads which exit from each intersection, an extraction
means which extracts corresponding lane information from said map
database when it is determined that lane information is stored by
said lane information storage determination means and which
extracts a corresponding destination name from said map database
when it is determined that lane information is not stored, wherein
corresponding lane information is displayed when lane information
is extracted by said extraction means and a corresponding
destination name is displayed when a destination name is
extracted.
5. A navigation device according to claim 2 which comprises a lane
information storage determination means which determines on
approaching an intersection whether or not lane information is
stored in a map database, said map database storing lane
information about roads which enter each intersection and
destination names of roads which exit from each intersection, an
extraction means which extracts corresponding lane information from
said map database when it is determined by said lane information
storage determination means that lane information is stored and
which extracts a corresponding destination name from said map
database when it is determined that lane information is not stored,
wherein corresponding lane information is displayed when lane
information is extracted by said extraction means and a
corresponding destination name is displayed when a destination name
is extracted.
6. A navigation device according to claim 3 which comprises a lane
information storage determination means which determines on
approaching an intersection whether or not lane information is
stored in a map database, said map database storing lane
information of roads which enter each intersection and destination
names of roads which exit from each intersection, an extraction
means which extracts corresponding lane information from said map
database when it is determined that lane information is stored by
said lane information storage determination means and which
extracts a corresponding destination name from said map database
when it is determined that lane information is not stored wherein
corresponding lane information is displayed when lane information
is extracted by said extraction means and a corresponding
destination name is displayed when a destination name is
extracted.
7. A navigation device according to claim 1 which comprises a
intersection name extraction means which extracts, from a map
database, an intersection name of a subject intersection and of a
sub-intersection in the vicinity of said subject intersection when
approaching an intersection which should be indicated, said map
database storing intersection names of each intersection, wherein
an intersection name of a subject intersection and of a
sub-intersection in the vicinity of said subject intersection
extracted by said intersection name extraction means are
respectively distinguished and displayed.
8. A navigation device according to claim 2 which comprises a
intersection name extraction means which extracts, from a map
database, an intersection name of a subject intersection and of a
sub-intersection in the vicinity of said subject intersection when
approaching an intersection which should be indicated, said map
database storing intersection names of each intersection, wherein
an intersection name of a subject intersection and of a
sub-intersection in the vicinity of said subject intersection
extracted by said intersection name extraction means are
respectively distinguished and displayed.
9. A navigation device according to claim 3 which comprises a
intersection name extraction means which extracts, from a map
database, an intersection name of a subject intersection and of a
sub-intersection in the vicinity of said subject intersection when
approaching an intersection which should be indicated, said map
database storing intersection names of each intersection, wherein
an intersection name of a subject intersection and of a
sub-intersection in the vicinity of said subject intersection
extracted by said intersection name extraction means are
respectively distinguished and displayed.
10. A navigation device according to claim 1 which comprises a
vehicle lane information extraction means which extracts vehicle
lane information about a subject intersection from said map
database on approaching an intersection which should be guided,
said map database storing vehicle lane information about roads
which enter each intersection, wherein after passing a
sub-intersection before a subject intersection, vehicle lane
information about said subject intersection extracted by said
vehicle lane extraction means is displayed.
11. A navigation device according to claim 2 which comprises a
vehicle lane information extraction means which extracts vehicle
lane information about a subject intersection from said map
database on approaching an intersection which should be guided,
said map database storing vehicle lane information about roads
which enter each intersection, wherein after passing a
sub-intersection before a subject intersection, vehicle lane
information about said subject intersection extracted by said
vehicle lane extraction means is displayed.
12. A navigation device according to claim 3 which comprises a
vehicle lane information extraction means which extracts vehicle
lane information about a subject intersection from said map
database on approaching an intersection which should be guided,
said map database storing vehicle lane information about roads
which enter each intersection, wherein after passing a
sub-intersection before a subject intersection, vehicle lane
information about said subject intersection extracted by said
vehicle lane extraction means is displayed.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a navigation device which
performs three dimensional display.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
[0002] FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing a conventional navigation
device. 101 is a map data base which is provided with polygon data
for the three dimensional display of roads, buildings and the like.
Furthermore 102 is an overall operation control section which
controls the operation of the overall device. 103 is an image
generation processing section which generates images and the like
for three dimensional display. 104 is an image display device.
[0003] Next the operation of the invention will be explained.
[0004] The image generation processing section 103 calculates a map
display range based on display perspective selection data and
automobile position data supplied from the overall operational
control section 102. The image generation processing section 103
reads road data and building polygon data which form the basis of
the image, converts to a point coordinate system and perspective
projection and generates an image for display. A three dimensional
map of a fixed geographical point is displayed on the image display
device 104 by the selection of a display perspective.
[0005] Since the conventional navigation device is constructed in
such a way, it has been a problem that intersections are merely
displayed in three dimensional format without any information with
respect to such things as lanes on the road or the like.
[0006] In order to solve the above problem, it is a purpose of the
present invention to provide a navigation device which can display
vehicle lane information in a clear way when performing three
dimensional display when approaching an intersection.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The navigation device of the present invention relates to a
navigation device which performs three dimensional display when
approaching an intersection. The navigation device is provided with
a map data base which stores the number of road vehicle lanes on a
road which enters an intersection, a road width display data base
which stores road width display data so that each road vehicle lane
width decreases depending on the number of road vehicle lanes and
the overall road width increases, a road width display data
extraction means which, when approaching an intersection, extracts
a number of vehicle lanes which enter the corresponding
intersection from the map data base and which extracts road width
display data corresponding to the number of vehicle lanes from the
road width display data base and a display means which displays
based on the extracted road width display data.
[0008] By this arrangement, the number of vehicle lanes can be
easily understood and the display is easy to view.
[0009] The vehicle navigation device of the present invention
relates to a navigation device which performs three dimensional
display when approaching an intersection. The navigation device is
provided with a map data base which stores categories of data which
discriminate lanes into those which continue straight
ahead(hereafter straight lanes), left-hand lanes, right-hand lanes
and branching lanes, a sign designation means which extracts a
corresponding category of data from the map data base when
approaching an intersection and which designates a sign
corresponding to the category of data with respect to the vehicle
lane based on the extracted category of data.
[0010] By this arrangement, it is easy to view lane information on
the subject intersection.
[0011] The vehicle navigation device of the present invention
relates to a navigation device which performs three dimensional
display when approaching an intersection. The navigation device is
provided at least with a map data base which stores vehicle lane
information of roads entering each intersection, a vehicle lane
information extraction means which extracts vehicle lane
information of roads which enter the corresponding intersection
from the map data base and a display means which displays only
vehicle lane information of entering roads, extracted by the
vehicle lane information extraction means, as vehicle lane
information.
[0012] Due to the arrangement above, the necessary vehicle lane
information is extremely easy to view.
[0013] The vehicle navigation device of the present invention
relates to a navigation device which performs three dimensional
display when approaching an intersection. The navigation device is
provided with a map data base which stores destination names of
roads which exit each intersection and lane information on roads
which enter each intersection, a lane information storage
determination means which determines whether or not lane
information is stored in the map data base, an extraction means
which extracts corresponding lane information from the map data
base when it has been determined that such lane information is
stored and which extracts a corresponding destination name from the
map data base when it is determined that no lane information is
stored, and a display means which displays said lane information
when lane information is extracted and which displays said
destination name when it is determined that a destination name has
been extracted.
[0014] By such an arrangement, it is extremely easy to view lane
information.
[0015] The vehicle navigation device of the present invention
relates to a navigation device which performs three dimensional
display when approaching an intersection. The navigation device is
provided with a map data base which stores the name of each
intersection, an intersection name extraction means which extracts
an intersection name for the subject intersection and the names of
sub-intersections in the vicinity of the subject intersection from
the map data base when approaching a subject intersection which
should be indicated, and a display means which respectively
discriminates and displays an intersection name for the subject
intersection and the names of sub-intersections extracted by the
intersection name extraction means.
[0016] In this way, it is easy to discriminate the names of
intersections and sub-intersections at the subject
intersection.
[0017] The vehicle navigation device of the present invention
relates to a navigation device which performs three dimensional
display when approaching an intersection. The navigation device is
provided with a map data base which stores vehicle lane information
on roads which enter each intersection, a vehicle lane information
extraction means which extracts vehicle lane information of the
subject intersection when a subject intersection is approached
which should be indicated, and a display means which displays the
vehicle lane information of the extracted subject intersection
point after a sub-intersection point before the subject
intersection.
[0018] By the arrangement above, it is possible to change lanes
with appropriate timing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0019] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of a
navigation device according to a first embodiment of the present
invention.
[0020] FIG. 2 shows an example of road data which is stored in a
map data base according to a first embodiment of the present
invention.
[0021] FIG. 3 shows an example of road width display data which is
stored in a road width display data base according to a first
embodiment of the present invention.
[0022] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of a navigation
device according to a first embodiment of the present
invention.
[0023] FIG. 5 is an example of a display according to a first
embodiment of the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 6 is a block diagram which shows the arrangement of a
navigation device according to a second embodiment of the present
invention.
[0025] FIG. 7 is a flowchart which shows the operation of a
navigation device according to a second embodiment of the present
invention.
[0026] FIG. 8 shows an example of a display according to a second
embodiment of the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a navigation device
according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
[0028] FIG. 10 is a flowchart which shows the operation of a
navigation device according to a third embodiment of the present
invention.
[0029] FIG. 11 is a block diagram which shows a navigation device
according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
[0030] FIG. 12 is a flowchart which shows the operation-of a fourth
embodiment of the present invention.
[0031] FIG. 13 shows an example of a display according to a fourth
embodiment of the present invention.
[0032] FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of a
navigation device according to a fifth embodiment of the present
invention.
[0033] FIG. 15 is a flowchart which shows the operation of a fifth
embodiment of the present invention.
[0034] FIG. 16 is a block diagram which shows a navigation device
according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.
[0035] FIG. 17 is a flowchart which shows the operation of a sixth
embodiment of the present invention.
[0036] FIG. 18 is a block diagram which shows the arrangement of a
conventional navigation device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0037] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be
explained in detail below with reference to the accompanying
figures.
[0038] Embodiment 1
[0039] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of a
navigation device according to a first embodiment of the present
invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an input device
such as a keyboard or a pointing device which inputs a destination.
2 is a storage device using a CD-ROM or a DVD-ROM of the like which
stores necessary information for searching and guiding the route,
for example a map data base. 3 is a display device such as a
crystal panel or a CRT which displays the guidance of the route and
functions as a display means. 4 is a calculation device which
controls the above devices and executes search and guidance
processing of the route.
[0040] The memory device 2 is provided with a road width display
database 6 and a map data base 5.
[0041] The map data base 5 stores necessary map data for searching
and guiding the route and stores the number of vehicle lanes and
the like which enter the intersection. FIG. 2 shows an example of
road data which is stored in a map data base 5. As shown in FIG. 2,
road data includes the connection angle, length, the number of
lanes both to and away from the destination and lane information
both to and away from the destination. Here a "vehicle lane" is a
vehicle lane of a length of a geographical point (for example the
length of an intersection). A "lane" is a vehicle lane when it
enters an intersection. For example, when a road with two "vehicle
lanes" enters an intersection, there are three "lanes" in the case
that a new right hand lane is added. Lane information includes the
number of lanes, the direction of flow of each lane (categories of
data which are divided into straight lanes, right-hand lanes,
left-hand lanes, branching lanes). The road width display database
6, as shown in FIG. 3, stores a road width display database which
decreases each road lane width W depending on the number of road
lanes on the road (1, 2, 3 . . . ) (W1>W2>W3>. . . ) and
increases the width L of the entire road (L1<L2<L3<. . .
).
[0042] The calculation device 4 is provided with a 3 dimensional
display means 7 and a road width display data extraction means
8.
[0043] The 3 dimensional display means 7 performs a 3 dimensional
display when the automobile is nearing an intersection by the
suitable control of the interval of the automobile and the view
point, the angle of the viewpoint and the height of the view point
in order to perform 3 dimensional display. The road width display
data extraction means 8 extracts the number of vehicle lanes on the
road which enter the intersection in question from the map database
5 when the vehicle is nearing an intersection and which extracts,
from the road width display database 6, road width display data
which corresponds to the number of extracted vehicle lanes.
[0044] Next the operation of the invention will be explained.
[0045] FIG. 4 is a flowchart which shows the operation of a first
embodiment of the invention.
[0046] In the calculation device 4, when the vehicle approaches
(for example travels to within 500M) of an intersection (step
ST401), the road width display data extraction means 8 first
extracts a number of vehicle lanes on the road which enter the
intersection in question from the map database 5 (step ST402) when
the vehicle approaches the intersection (step ST401) and then
extracts road width display data which corresponds to the number of
extracted vehicle lanes from the road width display database 6
(step ST403). The 3 dimensional display means 7 carries 3
dimensional display based on such road width display data (step
ST404). Therefore as shown in FIGS. 5(a)-(c), for example although
the total width of the road is increased in the case of 2 or 3
vehicle lanes as opposed to one vehicle lane, the width does not
increase proportional to the number of vehicle lanes.
[0047] As shown above, according to the first embodiment of the
invention, since a width of a vehicle lane display of a road is
stored depending on a preset number of vehicle lanes, it is
possible to carry out a suitable display depending on the size of
the screen irrespective of the number of vehicle lanes. Furthermore
although the total road width increases with increases in the
number of road lanes, since the increases are not proportional to
the number of vehicle lanes, it is possible to directly and easily
understand the number of vehicle lanes and create an easily viewed
display.
[0048] Embodiment 2
[0049] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a navigation device according
to a second embodiment of the present invention. Similar components
are designated by similar reference numerals as in FIG. 1 and will
not be explained again. The calculation device 4 of this navigation
device is provided with a sign designation means 9 which extracts a
corresponding category of data from the map data base 5 when the
vehicle approaches an intersection and which designates a sign
corresponding to a category of data with respect to each vehicle
lane based on the extracted category of data.
[0050] The operation of the invention will be explained next.
[0051] In the calculation device 4, when the vehicle approaches an
intersection (step ST701), first the sign designation means 9
extracts a corresponding category of data from the map database 5
(step ST702) and a sign is designated to the category of data with
respect to each vehicle lane based on the extracted category of
data (step ST703). Thus 3 dimensional display is performed
including the sign designated by the sign designation means 9 (step
ST704). A display example is shown in FIG. 8. In FIG. 8, {circle
over (1)} is a subject intersection point which is displayed in 3
dimensions, {circle over (2)} is a sign (a sign which discriminates
a straight lane, a right-hand lane, a left-hand lane, a branching
lane (here they are discriminated by the direction of the arrow)).
At this time it is possible for the driver to accurately recognize
the position of the lane which the vehicle should take (for example
the lane on the far right side or the like) by highlighted display
such as blinking or reverse display of the lane that the vehicle
should take based on information about the guided route.
[0052] As above, according to embodiment 2 of the present
invention, since the sign of the lane which shows the category of
each lane (discriminates a straight lane, a right hand lane, a left
hand lane, a branching lane) is displayed in the vicinity of a
subject intersection when the entering a subject intersection, lane
selection when entering the subject intersection is facilitated.
Furthermore lane information is displayed in an easily understood
form.
[0053] Embodiment 3
[0054] FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the layout of a navigation
device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
Similar components are designated by similar reference numerals as
in FIG. 1 and will not be explained again. In the navigation
device, the calculation device 4 is provided with a vehicle lane
information extraction means 10 which extracts vehicle lane
information about a road which enters an intersection in question
from the map database 5 when approaching an intersection.
[0055] The operation of the invention will be now explained.
[0056] FIG. 10 is a flowchart which shows the operation of a third
embodiment of the present invention.
[0057] The calculation device 4 firstly extracts vehicle lane
information about a road which enters an intersection in question
from the map database 9 (step ST1002) when approaching an
intersection (step ST1001). Then 3 dimensional display is carried
out which includes the vehicle lane information extracted by the
vehicle lane information extraction means 10 (step ST1003). Other
roads are displayed for example as fixed or simplified single
vehicle lane displays. FIG. 8 shows display examples of a third
embodiment of the present invention. In other words, vehicle lane
information relating to roads entering an intersection in question
is displayed, however other vehicle lane information such as
vehicle lane information about opposite vehicle lanes, the flow of
vehicle lanes, sub-intersection road intersections and the like are
not displayed.
[0058] As shown above, according to the third embodiment of the
present invention, since only information relating to vehicle lanes
of roads which enter an intersection in question is displayed, an
extremely clear display of the necessary vehicle lane information
is achieved.
[0059] Embodiment 4
[0060] FIG. 11 is a block diagram which shows the layout of a
navigation device according to a fourth embodiment of the present
invention. Similar components are designated by similar reference
numerals as in FIG. 1 and will not be explained again. In the
navigation device, the map database 5 stores lane data of roads
which enter each intersection and destination names of roads which
exit each intersection. The calculation device 4 is provided with a
lane information storage determination means 11 which determines
whether or not lane information is stored in the map database
5.
[0061] The operation of the invention will now be explained.
[0062] FIG. 12 is a flowchart which shows the operation of a fourth
embodiment of the present invention.
[0063] The calculation device 4 collects data relating to the
intersection from the map database 5 on approaching the
intersection (step ST1201). The lane information storage
determination means 11 determines whether or not lane information
is stored in the map database 5 (step ST1202). When it is
determined that lane information is stored, the related lane
information is extracted from the map database 5 (step ST1203).
When it is determined that lane information is not stored, it is
determined whether or not a related destination name is stored in
the map database 5 (step ST1204). When such information is stored,
the related destination name is extracted (step ST1205). When lane
information is extracted, the intersection is displayed in 3
dimensions including the related lane information and when the
destination name is extracted, the intersection is displayed in 3
dimensions including the related destination name (step ST1206).
For example, the 3 dimensional display of the intersection
including lane information is performed as shown in FIG. 8. The 3
dimensional display of the intersection including destination names
is performed as shown in FIG. 13. However the display of these two
functions is not determined by the presence or absence of lane
information or destination information. For example, when
considerable distance remains to the intersection, the destination
name is displayed, when the intersection is close, lane information
is displayed. When the intersection is distant (FIG. 13 displays
this as 1000 M ahead (refer to the display in the bottom right hand
corner in FIG. 13)), the user can select the optimal vehicle lane
in the desired direction by the destination name. When the
intersection is close, (FIG. 8 displays this as 100 M ahead (refer
to the display in the bottom right hand corner in FIG. 8)), the
lane in the direction of turning is selected and the vehicle lane
which proceeds into this lane is chosen beforehand and thus it is
possible to select an appropriate lane when entering an
intersection.
[0064] As shown above, according to embodiment 4, appropriate
display of lane information and destination names is possible.
Furthermore since destination name information is not displayed at
the same time as lane information, lane information is extremely
easy to view.
[0065] Embodiment 5
[0066] FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing the layout of a
navigation device according to a fifth embodiment of the present
invention. Similar components are designated by similar reference
numerals as in FIG. 1 and will not be explained again. In the
navigation device, the map database 5 stores information relating
to the intersection names of each intersection. The calculation
device 4 is provided with an intersection name extraction means 12
which extracts the intersection names of the subject intersection
and the intersection names of sub-intersections in the proximity of
the subject intersection from the map database.
[0067] The operation of the embodiment will now be explained.
[0068] FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the operation of the
invention according to a fifth embodiment.
[0069] On approaching an intersection (step ST1501) the
intersection name extraction means 12 in the calculation device 4
firstly extracts the intersection name of the subject intersection
and the intersection names of sub-intersections in the proximity of
the subject intersection from the map database (step ST1502). Then
3 dimensional display is performed on the basis of the respective
categories of extracted intersection names of the subject
intersection and intersection names of sub-intersections (step
ST1503). For example, display is performed by displaying the
intersection name of the subject intersection and intersection
names of sub-intersections in different colors or in different
sizes.
[0070] As shown above, according to embodiment 5, since the
respective categories of an extracted intersection name of the
subject intersection and intersection names of sub-intersections
are distinguished, it is easy to distinguish an intersection name
on the subject intersection from those on sub-intersections.
[0071] Embodiment 6
[0072] FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing the layout of a
navigation device according to a sixth embodiment of the present
invention. Similar components are designated by similar reference
numerals as in FIG. 1 and will not be explained again. In the
navigation device, the map database 5 stores vehicle lane
information on roads entering each intersection. The calculation
device 4 is provided with a vehicle lane information extraction
means 13 which extracts vehicle lane information relating to the
subject intersection when approaching an intersection which should
be indicated.
[0073] Next the operation of the embodiment will be explained.
[0074] In the calculation device 4, when approaching an
intersection which should be indicated (step ST1701), first the
vehicle lane information extraction means 13 extracts vehicle lane
information about a subject intersection (step ST1702). After
passing a sub-intersection before the subject intersection (step
ST1703), vehicle lane information about the extracted subject
intersection is displayed (step ST1704).
[0075] As shown above, according to embodiment 6, after passing a
sub-intersection before the subject intersection (step ST1703),
since vehicle lane information about the extracted subject
intersection is displayed, it is possible to change lanes at an
exact time.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0076] As shown above, the navigation system of the present
invention displays vehicle lane information in a three dimensional
intersection guiding image. The present invention also
discriminates and displays subject intersections and
sub-intersections as well as guiding the driver in the desired
direction in a clearly understood manner.
* * * * *