Abstract: A map database stores map data in multiple levels having different levels of details. In displaying a three-dimensional map, the map data having a higher level of details is used for a close view area near the viewpoint to a predetermined distance, and the map data having a lower level of details is used for a distant view area farther from the predetermined distance. The distant view area is first drawn by a perspective projection, and then, after clearing a depth buffer that stores depth information, the close view area is drawn, such that an undesirable hidden line removal process based on the depth information is not performed between the projected image in the distant view area and that in the close view area, thereby avoiding an unnatural phenomenon in which part of the close view image is hidden by the distant view image.

Abstract: A projection (projected image) is drawn by perspective projection of a three-dimensional model with a background image having improved reality. When a sightline of the perspective projection looks down from above, the projected image is drawn into an object drawing area which is a lower part of an image picture. A background layer representing the stratosphere is separately generated by two-dimensionally drawing a background image, in which the stratosphere (hatched area) is opaque, while the remaining area is transparent. The boundary between the opaque portion and the transparent portion forms a curved line that is convex upward to express a curved horizon. The background layer is superimposed in front of the projected image, not behind the projected image, thereby covering an upper edge portion of the projected image including a straight-lined upper edge, so as to provide a curved boundary realizing a curved pseudo horizon in the image picture.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) map display system displays a 3D map on which a ground surface and a feature are represented three-dimensionally. The 3D map display system includes (a) a map database for storing map data representing a 3D shape of the ground surface and the feature, (b) a first drawing unit for drawing the ground surface and the feature by executing depth determination by referring to the map database, and (c) a second drawing unit for drawing a target feature, which is a feature in which at least a part thereof is hidden by a ground surface or other features in the drawing by the first drawing unit, by overwriting the target feature on a drawing result by the first drawing unit by using the map data without executing depth determination with respect to the drawing result by the first drawing unit.

Abstract: A map database stores three-dimensional polygons of features, as well as water system polygons such as sea and lake and ground surface polygons. The map database stores map data in multiple levels having different levels of details, such as levels LVa to LVc. A procedure of displaying a three-dimensional map offsets the water systems relative to the ground surfaces, draws a map of a distant view area distant away from the viewpoint using map data at a low level of details, subsequently clears a depth buffer and newly draws a map of a close view area close to the viewpoint using map data at a high level of details. The offset is set to increase in the distant view area and decrease in the close view area. Increasing the offset in the distant view area avoids the occurrence of Z-fighting in the distant area from the viewpoint.

Abstract: A three-dimensional map is displayed in a bird's eye view with a stereoscopic effect of feature polygons by providing shading in an appropriate direction according to the gaze direction in a simulative manner. Shading wall polygons are set in addition to feature polygons in three-dimensional map data. The shading wall polygon is a virtual plate-like polygon provided vertically, for example, along a boundary of a feature polygon. When provided around the water system, the shading wall polygon is specified to be opaque on one surface viewed from the water system side and to be transparent on the opposite surface. The shading wall polygons are drawn along with the feature polygons in the process of displaying a map. The shading wall polygon is drawn in black, gray or the like only at a location where the surface specified to be opaque faces a gaze direction.

Abstract: A stereoscopic image output system includes a stereoscopic vision output unit, an image database storage unit, and an output control unit. The stereoscopic vision is realized by outputting, from the stereoscopic vision output unit, a left-eye image and a right-eye image with parallax such that the left and right-eye images are visually recognized by the left and right eyes, respectively. Left-eye parallel projection data and right-eye parallel projection data are generated by parallel projection of a three-dimensional model using respective projection angles set for the left eye and right eye so as to produce the parallax therebetween, and stored in the database storage unit as two-dimensional drawing data. The output control unit controls an output range of the left and right-eye images. If the output range for the stereoscopic image changes, moving directions of the left-eye image and the right-eye image are individually determined by the output control unit.

Abstract: A stereoscopic map display system includes (a) a stereoscopic vision display unit for providing a stereoscopic vision by displaying a right-eye image and a left-eye image with parallax so as to be visually recognizable by the right eye and the left eye, respectively, (b) a map database storage unit for storing map data, and (c) a display control unit for providing the right-eye image and the left-eye image at least part of which has the parallax, to the stereoscopic vision display unit based on the map data. The map data stores feature data indicating a shape of a feature and a display-depth adjusted object indicating an object other than the feature and displayed by a display depth under a predetermined rule. The display control unit displays the display-depth adjusted object with the multi-staged display depths under a predetermined rule for an attribute or a display position thereof.

Abstract: Measuring devices each include a rotating body arranged between a wheel and a wheel hub with rotation centers aligned with each other, and an optical detector fixed to a body frame. The rotating body is formed of a disk portion attached between the wheel and a mounting surface of the wheel hub, and a cylindrical portion extending from the disk portion to the body frame and encompassing an outer circumferential surface of the wheel hub. In a circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion, there are provided elongate holes as light-transmitting portions that transmit light therethrough. The optical detector includes a light-emitting element serving as a light-emitting portion and a light-receiving element serving as a light-receiving portion, which are fixed to the body frame by a mounting bracket.

Abstract: A route guidance device is provided with a two-dimensional road network for a route search, a three-dimensional road network for a route guidance, and guiding line shape data. The guiding line shape data is three-dimensional guidance display data for guiding an operator to go straight through, or to make a right turn, left turn, etc. at intersections in accordance with a passage mode, or to switch lanes before entering an intersection. A link node of the two-dimensional road network is associated with the guiding line shape data through the three-dimensional road network. The route search uses the two-dimensional road network, and the route guidance uses the guiding line shape data associated with the link node acquired by the route search. The present invention can realize an instinctively understandable route guidance that follows a passage mode without increasing a load of a route search.

Abstract: A three-dimensional map is provided by preserving its scale. The three-dimensional map is drawn based on prepared landscape feature data which three-dimensionally draws roads, buildings, and other landscape features. The landscape feature data is generated by a parallel projection method which projects an actual landscape feature (CST2) upon a projection plane (PL2) with parallel lines along the projection direction (PRJ), rather than a perspective projection. The landscape feature data is provided by either two-dimensional raster data or polygonal data that draws a parallel projected projection map. It is possible to draw the three-dimensional map by only drawing the prepared landscape feature data, without rendering or other load-intensive processing. Unlike the perspective projection, the parallel projection preserves the positional relationships among buildings and the scale of shapes, so as to provide a three-dimensional map in which the scale is preserved.

Abstract: The imaging position of each of the frames in image data of a plurality of frames captured while a vehicle is traveling is accurately determined. An image data acquiring device captures a front image by means of a video camera while a vehicle is traveling. When in imaging, the device associates the vehicle speed pulse detected by a vehicle speed sensor with the frame data and records them. An image data processing device arranges data on each frame of the image along the initial path according to the correspondence with the vehicle speed pulse. The device determines the variation between the frames of a feature point such as a road lane marking included in the image, reflects the variation on the initial path, and corrects the errors in the direction perpendicular to the moving direction so as to determine the traveling path and imaging positions of the frames.

Abstract: It is an object to realize a route guidance that follows a real passage mode without a feeling of wrongness. In a route guidance device, aside from a two-dimensional road network for a route search, a three-dimensional road network used for the route guidance and guiding line shape data are prepared. The guiding line shape data are three-dimensional guidance display data that guide you to go straight through a crossroads, to turn right, to turn left, etc. in accordance with a passage mode or guide you to change a car lane before you enter a crossroads. A link node of the two-dimensional road network is associated with the guiding line shape data through the three-dimensional road network. The route search is carried out by using the two-dimensional road network. The route guidance is carried out by using the guiding line shape data associated with the link node acquired by the route search.