Abstract: A navigation system has stored route information based upon longitude and latitude point coordinates for being retrieved and displayed to guide a user from a present position to a destination. The point coordinates of the destination are input to the navigation system by manual entry of the longitude and latitude point coordinates, by manual entry of a single multiple-digit alphanumeric code (G-code) containing combined longitude and latitude point coordinates, or by receipt of an external radio, optical, telephone or wire transmission of the longitude and latitude point coordinates from an information center or from a data storage medium such as a magnetic or electronic note card. The longitude and latitude point coordinates or the single multiple-digit alphanumeric code for manual entry can be read from a list of places or a map.

Abstract: Bit map data stored in an image memory is read every one column by N lines or M columns by one line and is stored in a shift register of M bits by N bits. The data in the shift register is differentiated in the direction of the column direction by edge detectors and extracted as data representing only a contour portion. This contour data is classified into forms of discontinuous points with respect to the horizontal direction and the vertical direction by classifying circuits. As for the classified data, the size of a dot to be printed and a printing position are converted by a determining circuit to a pulse width and a timing at which the dot is to be generated, and the classified data is converted to a pulse width by a pulse-width modulating circuit and is outputted to a laser beam modulating device. As a result, a dot smaller than a normal dot is added in a vacant portion, or a part of a normal dot is shaved, thereby printing a smooth pattern.

Abstract: An apparatus to facilitate volume control for route aural guidance. When supplying a guidance voice to a loudspeaker 34a, a voice control section 30 disconnects the loudspeaker 34a from audio and outputs the guidance voice through the loudspeaker. A volume control screen is displayed on a display section 28 where the user adjusts the volume by touching the screen. When the voice control section 30 switches a signal to the loudspeaker 34a, a mute circuit 40a is operated to mute the voice output before the voice is output through the loudspeaker 34a. When the user terminates volume adjustment, the voice control section 30 outputs a voice for volume confirmation or check at the adjusted volume through the loudspeaker 34a. The user can check the adjusted volume at this time.

Abstract: In a vehicle navigation system, when a voice control part, which is displayed on a screen, is switched off, a voice control part inhibits voice guidance from being output to a speaker. Now, if a current-location/guide selection key is operated, the voice control part creates voice guidance according to the operation of the selection key and outputs the voice guidance from the speaker. With this navigation system, aural route guidance is possible only at the driver's request.

Abstract: A vehicle route guidance system includes a map information storage section 10 which has a road type storage section 10a for storing various types of roads such as toll roads, express highways and motorways. A route guidance control section 26 reads out map information including road type information and route information. A road type change point detecting section 26a detects a road type change point. The route guidance control section 26 causes a display 28 and a voice controller 30 to perform the route guidance when a vehicle approaches a point a given distance short of the road type change point. The voice controller 30 responds to the instruction from the route guidance control section 26 to announce the route guidance for informing the driver of the entry to a toll road, express highway or motorway.

Abstract: A navigation system for use in a vehicle including a route-calculating section and a route guide control section. The route-calculating section searches for an optimum route according to conditions set for the search. The guide control section provides displays necessary to guide the driver of the vehicle, and guides the driver by speech. This guide control has a landmark name-setting section which sets the names of landmarks according to information about the landmarks, the information retrieved from a guidance information storage section according to information about the present position from a present position-determining section. A display section displays a whole route map indicating the selected route according to instructions from the route guidance control section. At the same time, the names of the landmarks are presented on the display section.

Abstract: A voice expression selection processing section recognizes a route from data from a route memory. When a vehicle has reached a junction, it is judged whether or not a curved road is present at the junction on the basis of connecting road number data from a junction data storage section, connecting angle data and connecting road width data. The content of the voice expression is changed in accordance with a case where the curved road is present or another case where the curved road is absent. Particularly, when the curved road is present, the direction of this curved road is added as a base of the voice expression. Therefore, the voice expression which matches with the feeling of a driver can be carried out to achieve suitable car guidance.

Abstract: A stopping device (37) is provided in a metal mould depository stand (6) and a stop cancelling device (39) is provided in a metal mould replacing carriage (3). When a metal mould (13) supported by the stand (6) is transferred onto the carriage (3), firstly the carriage (3) is moved to a location of the stand (6) a stopped condition of which is going to be cancelled, so as to make an output portion (53) of the cancelling device (39) face an actuating member (44) of the stopping device (37). Then, the output portion (53) is made to advance from a return position (G) to an advanced position (H). Thereupon, the actuating member (44) is changed over to a retracting actuation position (D), so that the actuating member (44) changes over a stopper member (42) to a retracted posture (B).

Abstract: A vehicle navigation system for orally issuing route guidance, capable of changing a point at which the route guidance is issued depending on the moving situation of a vehicle. The moving situation is at least one of a number of lanes in a road being traveled, a width of a crossroad intersecting the road being traveled and a speed of the vehicle. The moving situation is detected by a moving situation detector section and based on the detected moving situation, the route guidance issuing point is changed to the optimum point for the moving situation at that time by a guidance issuing point changer of a route guide controller.

Abstract: In a vehicle navigation system, when a voice control part, which is displayed on a screen, is switched off, a voice control part inhibits voice guidance from being output to a speaker. Now, if a current-location/guide selection key is operated, the voice control part creates voice guidance according to the operation of the selection key and outputs the voice guidance from the speaker. With this navigation system, aural route guiding is possible only at the driver's request.

Abstract: A navigation apparatus has an input unit (1), a CPU (2), a display unit (3) and a memory unit (4), the memory unit (4) being a memory such as a CD-ROM in which network data of geographical points, namely destinations and present locations, and information are stored in advance. Also stored are map data (10), an intersection list (11), a destination list (12), road data (13) and a region name list (14), etc. When a destination is designated by an input from the input means (1), the CPU (2) performs an exchange with a program, stored in a ROM (9a), in order to set information for travel to the destination by course exploration in accordance with each geographical point stored in the memory unit (4). This information is stored in a memory such as a RAM (9b). In an embodiment, the RAM (9b) is provided with a non-volatile area for storing departure-point data (east longitude, north latitude, etc.).

Abstract: In a navigation apparatus for setting a route from a designated departure point to a destination and providing guidance along the route, there are provided, as map data used in route exploration, node data [FIG. 15(b)] comprising position information and information relating to the attributes thereof, intersection data [FIGS. 2-5(b), FIG. 15(b)] comprising information relating to intersections, and road data [FIGS. 2-5(a), FIG. 15(c)] comprising information related to roads. Information such as roads between intersections and intersections which are the starting and end points of roads are obtained from the intersection data and road data, and an optimum route is retrieved by comparing routes. The map data is put into the form of a layered structure, as shown in FIG.

Abstract: A display system in a navigation apparatus according to the invention has course searching means (13) for searching out an optimum course based on position information, node data (21), intersection data (19) and road data (23), and scale ratio setting means (15), wherein the scale ratio of a displayed map is set in conformity with distance between a present position and a destination, and roads are selectively displayed on a display unit (31) in conformity with the scale ratio.Further, the invention has a data processing controller (46) for performing processing based on a departure intersection entered at an input unit (43), a display unit for displaying, based on the results of processing, an intersection diagram comprising the departure intersection, a peripheral road network and landmarks, and touch keys (35) such as a verification key for displaying direction of travel on the displayed intersection map, and a rotation instruction key for rotating and displaying the intersection diagram.

Abstract: A position input system for a vehicular navigation apparatus includes an input unit for inputting a desired destination and a present position, a memory unit for storing desired destination information and map information, and a display unit for outputting the desired destination information and map information in response to input information from the input unit. The map information is indicative of intersections and a geographical point located between intersections and possessing useful guidance information. A desired destination and present position are capable of being inputted by setting the useful guidance information between a road leading to and a road leading from the geographical point. This makes it possible to enter position simply and accurately. Positions are precise since they are selected from pre-stored information relating to geographical locations. Vehicle direction can also be inputted in accurate fashion where parking lot exits and intersections are concerned.

Abstract: A navigating apparatus which outputs information for guidance to a destination comprises an input device (1) for inputting a destination and a present position, a memory (4) in which guidance information is stored, an arithmetic unit (2) for determining optimum guidance information from the information input from the input device (1) and a display (3) for indicating the guidance information, the memory (4) having data of a plurality of parking lots at least in a destination and the arithmetic unit (2) serving to select the plurality of parking lots and guide the driver along the courses thereto in the destination. This apparatus enables the driver to go to a nearby parking lot by exploration of a course to the next parking lot at the shortest distance and guidance thereto even if a certain parking lot is full of cars in a destination.

Abstract: Navigation data (26) are generated by performing course exploration up to a destination using path data (26), which include information relating to intersections and road information, in response to input of the destination. Course guidance to the destination is provided while present-position pursuit (37) is performed. Course guidance at an end-point of a present-position road is outputted using guidance information for travel to a destination at every intersection obtained from the road network data (26) by course exploration. At an intersection, a road in a direction of travel is recognized by the present-position pursuit means (37), present position on this road is kept track of and the end-point intersection of the road is recognized.

Abstract: A vehicular navigation apparatus includes a distance sensor (1), a steering angle sensor (3), a curve detecting unit (9) provided with inputs of a distance signal and steering-angle signal for calculating a change in vehicle travelling direction by referring to a steering angle - travelling direction conversion table (17), a course exploration unit (13) provided with inputs of present position and destination for performing course exploration based on intersection data, road data and node data, a comparison-decision unit (11) for comparing retrieved course data and results of curve detection, and a guidance processor (15) for executing predetermined guidance processing based on the results of comparison. Thus, it is determined whether the vehicle has turned at a guidance intersection or node on a predetermined course and whether the vehicle is on the predetermined course.

Abstract: A vehicular navigation apparatus, which is equipped with a help function, for outputting guidance information for travel to a desired destination includes an input unit having desired destination input means, present position input means and help function input means, a memory unit for storing desired destination information, and a display unit for outputting the guidance information in response to input information from the input unit, wherein the memory unit is provided with a non-volatile RAM, with necessary information being saved in an area of the non-volatile RAM when a help function is called by the help function input means.

Abstract: A first external storage device which may be a CD stores data representing standard map of a particular area and that required for guidance, and a second external storage device which may be an IC card stores individual data which cannot be complemented by said data representing the standard map and said guidance data. Since the data is stored in both CD and IC card, the number of data can be reduced. This makes the operation simpler and enables a data that meets the demand of a user to be selectively supplied to the user. In consequence, guided navigation is made possible from any starting point to a destination, and data updating can be made relatively easy.

Abstract: A navigation apparatus for navigating a vehicle in accordance with a preset course while measuring distance travelled and steering angle is characterized by presetting distance information for guidance along the course, and outputting guidance relating to the pertinent distance information in the form of travelling conditions corresponding to the preset distance information. Distance information for guiding a driver along the course is preset. Therefore, even if it is a long distance to an intersection at which the next turn is to be made, whenever the vehicle has traveled a fixed distance the driver is unfailingly supplied with distance information relating to the intersection at which the next turn is to be made and with distance information relating to distinguishing features seen along the course, such as facilities and scenery, during the time the vehicle is travelling between the intersections.