Abstract: An audio apparatus has a main speaker SPA receiving an audio signal from a sound source 10 and outputting sound of the sound source; sound effect audio signal processing circuits 12B, 12C, etc. for performing signal processing on the audio signal from the sound source 10 to generate a sound effect audio signal for reproduction of a sound effect required of the sound of the sound source; and sound effect speakers SPB, SPC, etc. each receiving the sound effect audio signal and outputting the sound effect required of the sound of the sound source.

Abstract: The present landmark update system enables route guidance through the use of landmark information which remains always the latest for route guidance, and operates as follows: a navigation device 1 communicates with a landmark server 30 so as to receive to-be-updated landmark information 1001 for guiding the user by utilizing landmarks. Information about any landmark displayed is transferred to the landmark server 30 as cumulative information 1002. The landmark server 30 manages the cumulative information 1002 so that compilation data 1003 is generated for transfer to a retailer terminal 40 corresponding to the displayed landmark(s). The retailer terminal 40 refers to the compilation data 1003 so as to generate landmark information which is considered optimum, and transfers it to the landmark server 30 as registering landmark information 1004.

Abstract: Based on searched route information and map data, a target intersection for guidance is specified. For the specified target intersection, lane data regarding the number of lanes and lane control of roads being connected thereto is read, and then recommended lane information which indicates which lane to take when entering the target intersection and to exit therefrom is generated. Based on information about the target intersection and the lane data, a simplified intersection image of the target intersection for lane guidance is generated. Based on the recommended lane information, a running path which passes through the recommended lanes for entering into and exiting from the target intersection is generated, and is combined with the intersection image. Then, lane guidance information for displaying the resultant intersection image is outputted with a predetermined timing. As such, guidance can be visually made on a screen indicating which lanes to take to enter into and exit from the intersection.

Abstract: There is provided a navigation apparatus which displays information concerning facilities or the like which are present in a broad range ahead of a user. An information processing section 4 of a navigation apparatus identifies a facility type to be displayed. Next, a predicted road along which a user is expected to travel is determined, and a reference intersection is selected from among the intersections on the predicted road. The information processing section 4 computes a network of roads beginning from the selected reference intersection, and acquires facility information in the neighborhood thereof. Furthermore, the information processing section 4 generates facility information image data for displaying the acquired facility information on a map.

Abstract: There is provided a navigation apparatus which displays information concerning facilities or the like which are present in a broad range ahead of a user. An information processing section 4 of a navigation apparatus identifies a facility type to be displayed. Next, a predicted road along which a user is expected to travel is determined, and a reference intersection is selected from among the intersections on the predicted road. The information processing section 4 computes a network of roads beginning from the selected reference intersection, and acquires facility information in the neighborhood thereof. Furthermore, the information processing section 4 generates facility information image data for displaying the acquired facility information on a map.

Abstract: There is provided a map displaying apparatus for improving the visual recognition of a object displayed as a 3D image. A map data acquisition section 11 acquires map data to be displayed for navigation purposes. A displayed state estimation section 12 receives the map data acquired by the map data acquisition section 11, and estimates a displayed state of the displayed object based on the map data. A display mode determination section 13 determines whether the displayed state as estimated by the displayed state estimation section 12 satisfies a predetermined criterion or not, thereby determining whether to modify a default display mode or not. When determining that a modification is to be applied, the display mode determination section 13 modifies the default display mode to determine an actual display mode.

Abstract: In a navigation device (Unv), a processor 1 reads directional object data (Ddr) from a storage 4 onto a working area 3. The directional object data (Ddr) has a message plane and a plain plane, thereby representing a directional object whose planes are each facing in a different direction. Based on the positional relationship between the user's current position and the directional object, the processor 1 determines whether to render the message plane or the plain plane of the directional object. In the case of the message plane, the processor 1 renders it opaque. On the other hand, the processor 1 renders the plain plane transparent or translucent.

Abstract: In a navigation apparatus, a CPU searches for a plurality of routes from a starting point to a destination. These routes share the same starting point and the destination, but vary in their course along the way. Then for route selection, the CPU refers to position information provided by a locator to determine on which of the routes the user is now moving. In this manner, the navigation apparatus can automatically select one route from several derived through the route search.

Abstract: In a sound signal playback machine and method thereof, predetermined high frequency components are extracted from sound signals SL to SC of a main channel by high frequency pass filters 21 to 25, and these high frequency components are respectively played back by speakers. At the same time, predetermined low frequency components are extracted from sound signals SL to SC of the main channel by low frequency pass filters. These low frequency components and sound signal SLFE exclusively used for the low frequency band are added to each other, and the thus obtained addition signal is played back by the speaker 66. In this case, the degree of the low frequency pass filters is set higher than the degree of the high frequency pass filters, and the high frequency component is delayed.

Abstract: In a navigation apparatus, a CPU searches for a plurality of routes from a starting point to a destination. These routes share the same starting point and the destination, but vary in their course along the way. Then for route selection, the CPU refers to position information provided by a locator to determine on which of the routes the user is now moving. In this manner, the navigation apparatus can automatically select one route from several derived through the route search.

Abstract: In a navigation apparatus Anavil, a CPU 1 searches for a plurality of routes from a starting point to a destination. Those route share the same starting point and the destination, but vary in course on the way. Then for route selection, the CPU 1 refers to position information provided by a locator 9 to determine which route the user is now moving. In this manner, the navigation apparatus can automatically select one route from several others derived through route search.

Abstract: In a navigation device (Unv), a processor 1 reads from a storage 4 directional object data (Ddr) onto a working area 3. The directional object data (Ddr) has a message plane and a plain plane, thereby representing a directional object whose planes are facing in each different direction. Based on the positional relationship between the user's current position and the directional object, the processor 1 determines which to render the message plane or the plain plane of the directional object. In the case of the message plane, the processor 1 renders it opaque. On the other hand, the processor 1 renders the plain plane transparent or translucent. In this manner, the resulting display image data generated by the navigation device (Unv) can represent maps meeting the user's demands and needs.

Abstract: A map information storage stores map information including roads, landmarks, and areas. An overlap determination unit determines whether a landmark and an area overlap with a road in consideration of a road and its width. A position changer moves the overlapping landmark and area to positions where they do not overlap with the road on width display. A changed map information storage stores map information including changed positional information of the landmarks and the areas. If the changed map information is displayed on a screen, the landmarks and the areas are displayed so as not to overlap with roads on width display.

Abstract: In order to implement a navigation device in which landmarks are much less monotonous, and the applicability thereof is wider, the navigation device of the present invention operates as follows. A landmark is displayed in either normal display (still) and emphatic display (animated) by referring to landmark information. Specifically, referring to for normal display is shape information and positional information in the landmark information, and for emphatic display, an emphatic display execution file therein is referred to. For emphatic display, a group of instruction described in the emphatic display execution file are interpreted and executed so that the landmark is animated.

Abstract: Data terminal equipment 31 receives a bonus-attached file including a shop bonus provided to a user, and a bonus identifier for uniquely identifying the bonus, and stores the bonus identifier included in the bonus-attached file. Data terminal equipment 21 previously stores another bonus identifier for uniquely identifying the bonus provided to the user of the data terminal equipment 31. Through data communications with the data terminal equipment 31, the data terminal equipment 21 requests the bonus identifier on the data terminal equipment 31 side. If determining that the bonus identifier received from the data terminal equipment 31 is as being the same as the data identifier stored therein, the data terminal equipment 21 provides the bonus specified by the bonus identifier to the user of the data terminal equipment 31. In such a manner, the data transmission system is improved in user's usability with no more need for printing coupons.

Abstract: On receipt of route information, map data in an area near the route is read. One intersection existing on the route is extracted from the read map data, and intersection-connected links connected to the intersection are extracted. The road widths from the center line to the right and left sides are specified for the intersection-connected links based on attribute data such as the actual road width of the intersection-connected links. New lines are drawn for all the intersection-connected links by translating the line representing the intersection-connected link as the center line rightward and leftward by the specified road widths, to determine right and left side lines of the intersection-connected link. Based on the thus-generated width-imparted intersection-connected links, an intersection shape is generated. This processing is repeated for all the intersections concerned.

Abstract: A navigation device at least includes a CPU and a detector generating a detection signal for determining whether a main device is used inside a vehicle or not. If determining, based on the detection signal from the detector, that the main device is used inside the vehicle, the CPU operates in on-vehicle mode to carry out first navigation (present position estimation and route search) suitable for use in the vehicle. Otherwise, the CPU operates in off-vehicle mode to carry out second navigation (present position estimation and route search) suitable for use outside of the vehicle. Thus, the navigation device can automatically switch its operation mode between on-vehicle mode and off-vehicle mode.

Abstract: The present landmark update system enables route guidance through the use of landmark information which remains always the latest for route guidance, and operates as follows: a navigation device 1 communicates with a landmark server 30 so as to receive to-be-updated landmark information 1001 for guiding the user by utilizing landmarks. Information about any landmark displayed is transferred to the landmark server 30 as cumulative information 1002. The landmark server 30 manages the cumulative information 1002 so that compilation data 1003 is generated for transfer to a retailer terminal 40 corresponding to the displayed landmark(s). The retailer terminal 40 refers to the compilation data 1003 so as to generate landmark information which is considered optimum, and transfers it to the landmark server 30 as registering landmark information 1004.

Abstract: A mobile terminal 31 detects its position, speed, and direction, and judges a control requirement based on the detected position, speed, and direction. Based on the judgment, the mobile terminal 31 transmits a message corresponding to the control requirement that has been satisfied to a control terminal 33. The control terminal 33 judges a message requirement based on the received message. Based on the judgment, the control terminal 33 transmits a control command corresponding to the message requirement that has been satisfied to a control target appliance 34. The control target appliance 34 executes an operation by following the received command.

Abstract: A current position detection part 15 detects vehicle history information varying with use of a vehicle. A storage part 13 stores the vehicle history information. At authentication, an output part 12 gives a question about the vehicle history information, and the user inputs through an input part 11 an answer to the question. An information processing part 14 determines whether the answer is correct, based on the vehicle history information stored in the storage part 13 and the answer from the user, thereby authenticating the user of the vehicle.