Abstract: A navigation device is provided for improving the visibility of a map image including facility information. A map drawing section 14 generates map drawing data for the display of the map image by applying a predetermined scaling factor, and stores the data in the VRAM 16. A facility mark drawing section 22 extracts a predetermined facility from the drawing range of the map image, draws a facility mark corresponding to the facility with its display pattern changed in response to the scaling factor of the map image, and stores the drawing data in the VRAM 16. An image superimposing section 36 merges the drawing data stored in the VRAM 16 and the drawing data provided by an auxiliary image drawing section 34 and the like, to provide the merged data to a display device 6. Based on the drawing data provided by the image superimposing section 36, the map image with the facility marks superimposed thereon is displayed on the screen of the display device 6.

Abstract: A navigation device is provided for improving the visibility of a map image including facility information. A map drawing section 14 generates map drawing data for the display of the map image by applying a predetermined scaling factor, and stores the data in the VRAM 16. A facility mark drawing section 22 extracts a predetermined facility from the drawing range of the map image, draws a facility mark corresponding to the facility with its display pattern changed in response to the scaling factor of the map image, and stores the drawing data in the VRAM 16. An image superimposing section 36 merges the drawing data stored in the VRAM 16 and the drawing data provided by an auxiliary image drawing section 34 and the like, to provide the merged data to a display device 6. Based on the drawing data provided by the image superimposing section 36, the map image with the facility marks superimposed thereon is displayed on the screen of the display device 6.

Abstract: A guidance information setting unit specifies, during a route guidance operation, a first intersection that the vehicle is about to pass and a second intersection that the vehicle is to pass thereafter, where the vehicle makes a right-turn or a left-turn. Next, the guidance information setting unit sets a recommended travel lane by which the vehicle minimizes the lane change frequency until it reaches the second intersection, and outputs information concerning the recommended travel lane to an intersection guidance unit as the guidance information. The intersection guidance unit produces, as the intersection guidance information concerning the first intersection, drawing data of the intersection guidance information that displays with emphasis the recommended travel lane set by the guidance information setting unit, and displays the data on the screen of a display unit through an image synthesizing unit.

Abstract: A car navigation apparatus includes a map-image creating device for creating a map image observed ahead, in the traveling direction, of a vehicle from a predetermined position of a viewpoint, a guiding-image creating device for creating a guiding image including information on a predetermined intersection included in the map image, an auxiliary-image creating device for creating an auxiliary image showing which intersection included in the map image relates to the guiding image, and an image display device for synthesizing the guiding image created by the guiding-image creating device and the auxiliary image created by the auxiliary-image creating device on the map image created by the map image creating device and for displaying the synthesized image.

Abstract: A guidance information setting unit specifies, during a route guidance operation, a first intersection that the vehicle is about to pass and a second intersection that the vehicle is to pass thereafter, where the vehicle makes a right-turn or a left-turn. Next, the guidance information setting unit sets a recommended travel lane by which the vehicle minimizes the lane change frequency until it reaches the second intersection, and outputs information concerning the recommended travel lane to an intersection guidance unit as the guidance information. The intersection guidance unit produces, as the intersection guidance information concerning the first intersection, drawing data of the intersection guidance information that displays with emphasis the recommended travel lane set by the guidance information setting unit, and displays the data on the screen of a display unit through an image synthesizing unit.