Abstract: A vehicular information system developing apparatus has an input section through which graphics-related data are externally input, said graphics-related data including graphics data relating to figures to be displayed on a screen and operation description data that are set for respective figures and describe operations of the figures on the screen; a storage section for storing control data to be used for controlling transition between display states in accordance with a prescribed command and display control data to be used for displaying figures on the screen in each state based on the operation description data; and a conversion section for incorporating the graphics-related data into the display control data and for generating an execution program based on resulting data and the control data.

Abstract: A navigation device includes a platform having hardware including at least a user operation unit and a map database, and basic functions to control the hardware. The navigation device also includes an application processing unit for providing navigation services using the basic functions of the platform, and a platform-dependent unit for, when transferring information from the platform to the application processing unit, transferring the information in a constant format, and for, when transferring information from the application processing unit to the platform, transferring it in a certain format which depends on the platform. The map database holds map data in a predetermined recording format. The navigation device can further include a map-database-dependent unit for receiving map data, which is read from the map database by the platform-dependent unit, and for supplying the received map data to the application processing unit in the constant format.

Abstract: A vehicular information system developing apparatus has an input section through which graphics-related data are externally input, said graphics-related data including graphics data relating to figures to be displayed on a screen and operation description data that are set for respective figures and describe operations of the figures on the screen; a storage section for storing control data to be used for controlling transition between display states in accordance with a prescribed command and display control data to be used for displaying figures on the screen in each state based on the operation description data; and a conversion section for incorporating the graphics-related data into the display control data and for generating an execution program based on resulting data and the control data.

Abstract: A navigation device comprises a platform having hardware including at least a user operation unit and a map database, and basic functions to control the hardware. The navigation device also includes an application processing unit for providing navigation services by using the basic functions of the platform, and a platform-dependent unit for, when transferring information from the platform to the application processing unit, transferring it in a constant format, and for, when transferring information from the application processing unit to the platform, transferring it in a certain format which depends on the platform. The map database holds map data in a predetermined recording format. The navigation device can further comprise a map-database-dependent unit for receiving map data, which is read from the map database by the platform-dependent unit, and for supplying the received map data to the application processing unit in the constant format.

Abstract: A navigation apparatus capable of outputting the guide information concerning a necessary point input by a driver in response to a request of the driver previously stores map information, specifies an automobile position on the map information by detecting signals such as GPS signals, gyroscopic signals and speed pulse signals, etc., retrieves a point to be guided from the map information on the basis of the present position of the automobile, produces the guide information concerning the point to be guided by processing the map information, and displays the guide information concerning the point to be guided. Further, a guide switch (a touch panel key) as a display mark, a distance to a target destination point and an azimuth toward the target destination point, and a running direction to go at or near the target destination point are also displayed.

Abstract: A serial sampling video signal driving apparatus receives a plurality of color video signals. A serial sampling video driver samples the color video signals one after the other in cyclic fashion, and provides the sampled values to drive a matrix-type color display. A delay circuit delays one or more of the color video signals at different phases before input to the serial sampling video driver, thereby compensating for differences in sampling times.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a traffic information display system mounted on a vehicle to provide a map which is easy to see and which permits the driver of the vehicle to recognize the present position of the vehicle, etc. A control means used in this system determines a road on which the vehicle is present, on the basis of an output provided from a present position and direction detecting means, and fetches plural road data including the said road from a map information memory means. Then, the control means transforms the coordinates of start and end points of each road present in the road data into coordinates on a display screen, and provides those coordinates and a command to connect the start and end points using a straight line to a deformed map preparing means. The deformed map preparing means displays the road between each start point and each end point using a straight line, thereby providing a map which is easy to understand for the driver.

Abstract: A vehicle navigation system providing an operator with a route from a present position of a vehicle to a concrete destination by displaying the route on a display. A destination decision processing section extracts a plurality of candidates of the concrete destination from a map data memory according to a general destination input by an operator, and displays the candidates on the display. A route search processing section searches a route from the present position to one of the candidates which has been selected by the operator, and displays the searched route on the display.

Abstract: A switch system for an automotive vehicle enables the driver to properly operate various devices mounted on the vehicle without reducing or limiting the driver's field of view to any practical extent. In one form, the switch system includes a plurality of switches for operating various devices mounted on the vehicle; a switch selection detector for detecting which one of the switches is selected by a driver; a display for displaying the result of a driver's switch selection detected by the switch selection detector as well as the operating conditions of the devices as a result of the driver's switch selection; and a reflector in the form of a half mirror provided at a location above a dash board for reflecting the contents of the display so that the driver can watch the displayed contents of the display as reflected on the reflector.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device which has a good legibility and is easily produced has a first and a second polarizer with a TN type liquid crystal display element therebetween, the optical axes of the two polarizers being parallel to each other. A color filter is arranged to be in contact with either one of those polarizers and a transflector is arranged so as to be in contact with the color filter, the arrangement being such that the illumination of light is effected through the transflector.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display is provided with elements arranged in matrix form and addressed by timing scanning and signal pulses so as to select particular display elements. According to input data, the display is made to move while maintaining its shape so that an analog of a mechanical system such as a dial or gauge having a movable pointer may be obtained.