Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide several novel methods for generating a navigation presentation that displays a device navigating a route on a map. The method of some embodiments uses a virtual camera that, based on detected changes in the navigation context, dynamically modifies the way it captures portions of the map to produce different navigation scenes in the navigation presentation. To generate the navigation scenes, the method of some embodiments (1) identifies different sets of attributes that describe the different navigation contexts at different times during the navigation presentation, and (2) uses these different sets of attributes to identify different styles for operating the virtual camera. In some embodiments, the method uses an identified style to specify the virtual camera's positional attributes, which, in turn, define the portions of the map that the virtual camera identifies for rendering to produce several navigation scenes for a period of time (e.g.

Abstract: A system and method generates and recommends a short and pleasant path between a source s and destination d in a geo-location such as a city or city center. The routes are not only short but emotionally pleasant, offering an engaging user experience, going beyond just showing paths on a map.

Abstract: An image of a geographical area is generated, the geographical area including at least one sensor-readable tag (SRT). The image of the geographical area includes images of the at least one SRT. Each SRT is associated with a landmark and encoded with label information of the landmark. Images of the at least one SRT are extracted from the image of the geographical area. For each of the at least one SRT, the label information of the landmark is decoded based on the extracted image of the SRT. A geographical label layer is generated including the label information of each landmark. A superimposed image is generated by superimposing the geographical label layer on the image of the geographical area.

Abstract: A system and method of procedural generation of graphics includes generating a bounding polygon corresponding to a size and shape of a region within a three-dimensional virtual environment that includes the plurality of objects, aligning, with the processor the bounding polygon with a two-dimensional arrangement of tiles that include predetermined locations corresponding to the objects, identifying object locations within the bounding polygon based on the data corresponding to the predetermined plurality of locations within the tiles, each object location corresponding to one predetermined location in one tile in the plurality of tiles that lies within the bounding polygon, and generating, with the processor and a display device, a graphical depiction of the three-dimensional virtual environment including graphical depictions of the plurality of objects positioned in the plurality of object locations within the bounding polygon in the region.

Abstract: A system and method of procedural generation of graphics corresponding to a plurality of buildings in a three-dimensional virtual environment includes identifying a region in the three-dimensional virtual environment that is enclosed by a plurality of streets within the three-dimensional virtual environment, generating a two-dimensional arrangement of a plurality of tiles within the region, identifying one building segment graphic in the subset of building segment graphics corresponding to each tile based on an array of pseudo-random index values stored in the memory for each tile in the plurality of tiles, and generating a graphical depiction of the three-dimensional virtual environment including a graphical depiction of the plurality of buildings in the region based on the two-dimensional arrangement of the plurality of tiles and the building segment graphic identified for each tile in the plurality of tiles.

Abstract: A head-up display (HUD) apparatus and a method of using the HUD apparatus are described. The HUD apparatus includes a first optical module configured to display a two dimensional (2D) image, a second optical module configured to display a three dimensional (3D) image and arranged at a predetermined angle relative to the first optical module, a separation module arranged on an optical path of the first and second optical modules to reflect a light of the first optical module and to project a light from the second optical module, and an optical system configured to output the light having passed the separation module.

Abstract: A method of operating a navigation apparatus is provided. A calculated route is shown on a map display of the apparatus together with a current position indication. In one embodiment, a maximum map scale is determined which will result in a representation of the entire remainder of the route being shown within a visible map display area during travel along the route. In another embodiment, a map scale is set, and the map display is then controlled to maximize the amount of the remainder of the route which is shown within a visible map display area for the given map scale during travel along the route.

Abstract: A map preparation apparatus includes a position information acquisition section, an input information acquisition section, and a selection section. The position information acquisition section acquires position information of a user who is moving. The input information acquisition section acquires input information including a date and time when the user starts moving and a date and time when the user finishes moving. The selection section selects map information from preregistered map information on the basis of the position information acquired by the position information acquisition section and on the basis of the input information acquired by the input information acquisition section. The selected map information includes a route in a ratio equal to or larger than a predetermined ratio. The route is taken from the date and time when the user starts moving to the date and time when the user finishes moving.

Abstract: A vehicular display system includes a mobile device having a mobile display part and adapted to be disposed in a predetermined position in a vehicle. The mobile display part is configured to display contents such that at least one of a display size and a display position of each of the contents is changed in accordance with positions of eyes of a driver sitting on a driver's seat in the vehicle with respect to a reference position in the vehicle. Preferably, the mobile device has an imaging unit for picking up an image and recognizes the positions of the driver's eyes and the reference position from the image picked up by the imaging unit. The vehicular display system may further include a vehicle on-board unit fixedly mounted in the vehicle.

Abstract: A method in a mobile device for use in receiving updates of network-maintained map data sets is described. The mobile device receives, through a wireless network, map data for rendering a map. The map data has a plurality of layers, where each of the plurality of layers includes a version number and a plurality of data entries associated therewith. Each of the plurality of data entries indicates a plurality of data points for rendering one or more artifacts or labels within an area of interest of the map. The mobile device stores the map data, and displays the area of interest from the plurality of layers of the stored map data. The mobile device then receives, through the wireless network, an indication of an alternative version of one of the layers of the stored map data.

Abstract: A mobile device can obtain wireless network signal strength map data that indicates, for various nearby geographical regions, the wireless network signal strength in each such region. A mobile device can transmit that data to a vehicular navigation system responsible for automatically selecting a high-quality route of vehicular travel between a specified source and destination. The system can take the wireless network signal map data into account when selecting that route. When selecting from among multiple different routes of vehicular travel between a specified source and destination, the system may employ an algorithm that considers wireless network signal strengths along those routes, in addition to the other factors. Consequently, the system can select a longer route having better signal strength over a shorter route having worse signal strength. The system can present the selected route within a set of suggested routes, potentially along with reasons for each route's suggestion.

Abstract: In one of many possible embodiments, an exemplary system includes a driving directions subsystem configured to provide data representative of driving directions to an access device communicatively coupled to the driving directions subsystem. The driving directions subsystem is further configured to provide at least one selection tool to the access device. The selection tool enables a user of the access device to select a subset of the driving directions for printing. In certain embodiments, the driving directions include a plurality of driving steps, and the selection tool enables the user of the access device to select, for each driving step, between including the driving step in and omitting the driving step from the printing.

Abstract: A mobile device can obtain wireless network signal strength map data that indicates, for various nearby geographical regions, the wireless network signal strength in each such region. A mobile device can transmit that data to a vehicular navigation system responsible for automatically selecting a high-quality route of vehicular travel between a specified source and destination. The system can take the wireless network signal map data into account when selecting that route. When selecting from among multiple different routes of vehicular travel between a specified source and destination, the system may employ an algorithm that considers wireless network signal strengths along those routes, in addition to the other factors. Consequently, the system can select a longer route having better signal strength over a shorter route having worse signal strength. The system can present the selected route within a set of suggested routes, potentially along with reasons for each route's suggestion.

Abstract: A vehicle-mounted communication device includes wireless units 3a and 3b that switch a frequency that performs wireless communication with antennas 2a and 2b between a frequency for wireless communication for ITS and a frequency for wireless LAN communication, a parking determination unit 6 that determines whether or not a vehicle is parked, a parking position storage unit 6a that stores as a parking position a position where it is determined that the vehicle is parked by the parking determination unit 6, and a wireless control unit 4 that controls the wireless units 3a and 3b to perform the wireless communication for ITS with the antennas 2a and 2b when the vehicle is running, and switch the wireless communication for ITS or the wireless LAN communication to be performed with the antennas 2a and 2b on the basis of the parking position stored in the parking position storage unit 6a when the vehicle is parked.

Abstract: A section setting method calculates information relating to an attainable actual fuel efficiency under a vehicle operation performed in consideration of fuel efficiency. To that end, the section setting method collects fuel-efficiency information that is information relating to the fuel efficiency required for a movement from a start point to a destination point of the vehicle, which is obtained under a plurality of kinds of vehicle operations, along with positional information of the vehicle at each time. The section setting method compares change pattern parts of the collected fuel-efficiency information with each other, thereby sequentially connecting the change pattern parts of the fuel-efficiency information from the start point to the destination point. The section setting method sets, as a section used to calculate the actual fuel efficiency, a section obtained by sectioning at points corresponding to the connection points of the change pattern parts connected.

Abstract: A method is provided for outputting navigation instructions in a motor vehicle having a navigation system and a head-up display. Graphical navigation instructions are output in at least three instruction categories which differ substantially in terms of the graphical level of detail of the particular navigation instruction, the instruction category being selected based on the distance between the motor vehicle and an action point for the navigation maneuver. Navigation instructions in the category for short distances include a perspective lane-exact representation of a map section relevant to the navigation maneuver in the head-up display, a first driving line which is proposed by the navigation system is depicted in the map section in a lane-exact manner by way of a first graphical line object and an alternative second driving line is also depicted in a lane-exact manner by way of a second graphical line object differing from the first line object.

Abstract: The different advantageous embodiments provide a method, computer program product, and apparatus for presenting a position of a vehicle on a chart. In one advantageous embodiment, a method for presenting a vehicle on a chart is presented. A current position of the vehicle is identified. The method then determines whether the current position of the vehicle is on a path between two points in a plurality of points. A first indicator at a first location on the chart indicating a position of the vehicle on the path relative to the two points is presented responsive to a determination that the current position is on the path. A second indicator on a second location on the chart is presented responsive to an absence of a determination that the current position is on the path, wherein the second indicator points to a closest point in the plurality of points.

Abstract: A map navigation tool presents directions using a map navigation user interface that simplifies navigation in various ways. In particular, a user-driven navigation model simplifies user interaction with the map navigation tool. For example, the map navigation tool identifies an upcoming list item among multiple list items of a list of directions for a route. The map navigation tool receives a user input event. For example, the user input event represents a tap on a touchscreen of the computing device, voice input to a microphone of the computing device, or button or keystroke input to the computing device. Responsive to the user input event, the map navigation tool outputs an indication of the upcoming list item.

Abstract: The invention provides a map display device and map display method that enhance the information density of displayed road names while maintaining legibility of a map image. First, the map drawing unit draws, to an image storage unit, a map image of roads and so forth in a desired scale, by using the background layer of a first hierarchy corresponding to the desired scale. Second, the map drawing unit draws place names and facility names by using the character layer of the first hierarchy to superimpose them on the map image. Third, the map drawing unit extracts the road names that do not overlap with the map characters of the place names and facility names on the map image by using the character layer of the first hierarchy, and superimposes them on the map image at the normal character size.

Abstract: A stream processing system for processing a routing request specifying a first location and a destination location in a network of interconnected locations includes a plurality of data processing elements, a memory connected to the plurality of data processing elements for storing a plurality of maps having different scopes, wherein each of the data processing elements is associated with one of the plurality of maps and determines a section of a path from the first location to the destination location in the network of interconnected locations, and a routing selection element for merging the sections of the path as a solution to the routing request.

Abstract: Provided is a communication device mounted in a vehicle or disposed at the roadside, which can adaptively and efficiently manage positional information relating to directly communicable surrounding in-vehicle communication devices and surrounding roadside communication devices and can stably transmit information to a specified communication destination even when the positional relationship between vehicles frequently changes.

Abstract: In an information display device having a display screen and driven by receiving power supply from a battery, there is provided with a plurality of display patterns each of which the display range is reduced from a full screen display state displayed on the whole of the display screen, and the screen is switched to any one of the plurality of display patterns in accordance with a battery remaining capacity and a display content, and displayed.

Abstract: A method of identifying an intersection for a collision warning system is disclosed. The method includes steps of selecting an identified intersection where a driver intends to turn from a set of potential intersections. The collision warning system is then controlled according to the identified intersection.

Abstract: An in-vehicle device for displaying a plurality of screen data generated by a mobile terminal device on one display is provided. A registering unit is configured to register partial area information in which disposition information indicating disposition of each of a plurality of partial areas which are disposed on a display area of the display are associated with priority information indicating priority of each of the partial areas. A adjusting unit is configured to adjust the display area by allocating one of the screen data to one of the partial areas based on the priority information included in the partial area information when receiving a request to display the one of the screen data on the display. A display control unit is configured to display the one of the screen data allocated to the one of the partial areas on the display based on the disposition information included in the partial area information.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product for automatically adjusting the output of presentation content based upon vehicle conditions. The method determines whether one of a plurality of vehicle conditions exists, such as conditions related to vehicle speed, rate of change in vehicle speed, rate of change in vehicle direction, vehicle emergencies, cellular phone or headphone activation, radar detector activation, noise level decibels above a certain value, etc. The method determines an output format based on the determined vehicle conditions. The method outputs at least a portion of the presentation content based on the determined output format. The determined output format includes display format information, such as text font or icon size information or map detail. The presentation content can also include audio content.

Abstract: A system for providing a tailored route to a mobile communications device over a wireless communications network. The system includes a map server including a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to make the map server operable to prepare a basic route from a route origin to a route destination and obtain information regarding characteristics of the wireless communications network along the basic route. The processor is further made operable to prepare the tailored route using the basic route and the network characteristics information and provide the tailored route to the mobile communications device over the wireless communications network.

Abstract: An apparatus for map zooming includes instructions stored in a memory that when executed by a processor render a zoom bar. The zoom bar includes a plurality of map scale hash marks arranged along an axis of the zoom bar and indicative of a map scale range of a geographic map. The plurality of map scale hash marks include a first map scale hash mark representative of a first map scale, a second map scale hash mark offset along the zoom bar axis from the first map scale hash mark and representative of a second map scale, and a map transformation hash mark located between the first and second map scale hash marks and representative of a transformation of the geographic map from a first map data set defined with reference to the first map scale to a second map data set defined with reference to the second map scale.

Abstract: Methods and systems for simultaneous local and contextual display comprise displaying a smaller, “local” image on a first surface using a first device having limited screen real estate. A second, larger, “contextual” image is simultaneously displayed on a larger second surface, which may comprise a projector screen or a separate computer monitor screen. The contextual image may be projected onto the second surface using the first device, or the first device may be coupled to a second device for displaying the contextual image. The local image comprises a subset of the contextual image such that a user may view both the fine detail of the local image using the first device and the context of the local image within the contextual image on the second surface.

Abstract: A facility-around-route retrieval device includes a map disk 3 for storing map data and facility data, a route calculation unit 13 for calculating a route to a destination by using the map data stored in the map disk, a facility retrieval condition setting unit 16 for setting a facility retrieval condition, and a facility-around-route retrieval unit 17 for retrieving, in a case where a facility around the route calculated in the route calculation unit is retrieved in accordance with the condition set in the facility retrieval condition setting unit, the facility present only on a side of a traveling lane of a vehicle of a divided road from the facility data stored in the map disk when the route includes the divided road.

Abstract: A map display device that displays a map image around a vehicle position includes a display unit; a first storage unit storing map data including road data of a road and road-related information related to the road; a second storage unit storing adjustment data based on a relationship between display positions of the road data and the road-related information; and a map display control unit for calculating the display position of the road-related information based on the adjustment data for the individual road, and displaying the road-related information on a screen of the display unit. A road width to be displayed o the screen may be determined in accordance with the number of lanes and a road type. The adjustment data may be a distance between the display positions of the road and the road-related information, and may be determined in accordance with the road type and the road width.

Abstract: The invention may allow an in-vehicle unit of a vehicle located in a shadow portion of a large-sized vehicle and an in-vehicle unit of a vehicle at a location separated from an intersection 193 to receive traffic information. A UHF beacon unit 112 is disposed at the intersection 193, thereby distributing the traffic information using a UHF beacon signal having a diffraction characteristic. This arrangement can allow the in-vehicle unit of the vehicle located in the shadow portion of the large-sized vehicle as well to receive the traffic information. Further, since the UHF signal propagates far, this arrangement can allow the in-vehicle unit of the vehicle at the location separated from the intersection 193 as well to receive the traffic information. The UHF beacon unit 112 transmits the UHF beacon signals with the different traffic information set therein by time division and frequency division.

Abstract: Tickers are populated with location-based information that is selected according to the geographic location of communication devices. The location of a communication device is identified based on a GPS system, proximity to transmitters in a wireless network, user input, or using other techniques. Location-appropriate content is obtained either in real-time from the network or from a local data store at the communication device. In general location-based, context-aware content can be displayed on tickers associated with a variety of communication devices, including mobile communication devices and “immobile” or stationary personal computers. When a ticker item is selected from the ticker, a location associated with the selected ticker item and/or a location of the communication device is used to generate a map that is displayed on the display of the device to the user.

Abstract: A map data providing method for providing map data to be used in a navigation system includes: dividing an area over which the map data are available into a plurality of blocks by using each of a plurality of division patterns set so that blocks resulting from divisions with the plurality of division patterns are not identical to one another; generating map data in correspondence to each of the blocks resulting from the divisions achieved with the plurality of division patterns; and providing the map data corresponding to the individual blocks resulting from the divisions achieved with the plurality of division patterns to a user so as to allow the user to freely select map data corresponding to any block.

Abstract: An interactive user interface element makes content (e.g., images, news, standard indexed Web content) available to a user of online map services (e.g., virtual globe program). In some implementations, when zoomed out on a feature displayed in map imagery (e.g., virtual globe imagery), the user sees a non-interactive user interface element (e.g., a feature label). As the user expresses greater interest in the feature by, for example, flying (“zooming”) toward the feature, the non-interactive user interface element is replaced by (or morphs into) an interactive user interface element (e.g., a feature label including a clickable icon). In some implementations, a user's interaction with the interactive user interface element (or navigation actions in the imagery) launches a content access portal (e.g., a balloon) for presenting content (e.g., text, digital photos, video, audio) and/or providing access (e.g., links) to related content.

Abstract: A system and method for combining sequential map segments to aggregate, analyze, and display traffic data collected from one or more probe vehicles located on one or more of the map segments.

Abstract: A method for route simulation operation on a navigation system is able to complete the route simulation operation within a short period of time. The method includes the steps of: calculating a route from a starting point to a destination; determining a first route simulation speed for a preset number of first turns from the starting point; determining a second route simulation speed for a preset number of last turns before the destination; determining a third route simulation speed for a remaining part of the calculated route; and displaying a progression indicator on the calculated route to the destination on a map image on the screen of the navigation system and moving the progression indicator based on the simulation speeds determined in the above steps.

Abstract: Tickers are populated with location-based information that is selected according to the geographic location of communication devices. The location of a communication device is identified based on a GPS system, proximity to transmitters in a wireless network, user input, or using other techniques. Location-appropriate content is obtained either in real-time from the network or from a local data store at the communication device. In general location-based, context-aware content can be displayed on tickers associated with a variety of communication devices, including mobile communication devices and “immobile” or stationary personal computers. When a ticker item is selected from the ticker, a location associated with the selected ticker item and/or a location of the communication device is used to generate a map that is displayed on the display of the device to the user.

Abstract: A route information supply system comprises a reception module which receives information on a current position and a destination from a terminal device by communication, a map data storage module storing at least detailed map data and summary map data, a traffic information storage module which stores traffic information, a route search module which searches for a guidance route based on the current position and the destination, a map information generation module which generates map information on an area containing the searched route by use of the map data storage module, and an output module which outputs the generated map information to the terminal device. When an event satisfying a prescribed condition regarding the traffic information exists in the area, the map information generation module generates map information on an area in the vicinity of a point where the event has occurred by use of the detailed map data.

Abstract: A navigation system includes a display device displaying, on a cockpit pilot display unit, a set of indications including an aircraft symbol which illustrates the position of the aircraft and a map part which represents the airport and moves in relation to the aircraft symbol according to the current position of the aircraft in the airport, the aircraft symbol fixed on the cockpit pilot display unit in a centered position in a standard display. The system also has an actuating unit for deactivating the standard display to enable the aircraft symbol to be displaced on the cockpit pilot display unit, and an actuating unit for controlling a temporary displacement of the set of indications on the cockpit pilot display unit such that the aircraft symbol displayed moves away from the centered position.

Abstract: A system of processing map images includes a Web Mapping Service (WMS) for storing map images. A WMS proxy is operative with the WMS and receives from a client a request for a map image for display at the client. A WMS proxy includes a tile broker module that converts the request for the map image into a series of requests for obtaining map tiles. A cache system that stores the map tiles. The tile broker module is operative for returning cached map tiles if they already exist within the cache and retrieving map tiles from the WMS if map tiles are not returned from the cache. A tile building module is operative for building a map image at the WMS proxy from the map tiles in a requested format and resolution and displaying the map image at the client without resampling at the client.

Abstract: A vehicle navigation apparatus searches a matching link within a tolerance range from a travel locus of a vehicle based on map data when the vehicle makes a turn, and the vehicle position is shifted to the matching link that is found in the search. After matching the vehicle position to the matching link, the vehicle position is returned to a pre-matching position when the vehicle is determined to have entered a facility for facilitating subsequent processing. By returning to the pre-matching position, the vehicle position can be processed and displayed accurately in the subsequent processing due to use of the vehicle position referring to the pre-matching position instead of a position after the matching control.

Abstract: A map displaying device for displaying an accessible range in an arbitrary display form determined in accordance with the scale of a displayed map and/or with the running state of a vehicle is provided. The map displaying device includes: a display unit for displaying map information stored in a map database; a search unit for calculating travel time information regarding a travel time to an arbitrary point accessible from a reference point; and a time information drawing unit for displaying the travel time information in a superimposed manner on the display unit by varying a display form in accordance with the scale of a map and/or with the running state of a user's vehicle.

Abstract: A map display controller displays a three-dimensional map image on a display screen of a display device, and superimposes a route wall standing from a route and along the route in the three dimensional map image on the display device. This reduces a difficulty in confirming the route behind structures such as a building in the three-dimensional map image displayed on the display screen.

Abstract: A map display apparatus for displaying a map image at a plurality of display resolutions includes the following elements. An information recording unit associates an image signal of a captured image with imaging position information to record the associated signal and information as image information. A map information storage unit stores map information for the map image. A classification information recording processing unit divides a map area shown by the map information into mesh cells such that different mesh cell sizes are suitable for the respective display resolutions, and generates and records imaging classification information. A display control unit determines on each of mesh cells on the map image, each mesh cell having a size suitable for the display resolution, on the basis of the imaging classification information whether the image information is relevant to a mesh cell, and arranges an imaging identification representation in the appropriate mesh cell.

Abstract: A map displaying device for displaying an accessible range in an arbitrary display form determined in accordance with the scale of a displayed map and/or with the running state of a vehicle is provided. The map displaying device includes: a display unit for displaying map information stored in a map database; a search unit for calculating travel time information regarding a travel time to an arbitrary point accessible from a reference point; and a time information drawing unit for displaying the travel time information in a superimposed manner on the display unit by varying a display form in accordance with the scale of a map and/or with the running state of a user's vehicle.

Abstract: A method and device for updating map data of a navigation device. The method includes receiving information relating to an area update of the map data from a data server via a wireless broadcast to the navigation device; and displaying the information in graphical form on a map displayed on a display screen. The method may further include receiving a user input selecting an area on the map corresponding to the area update; wirelessly transmitting the area as an area selection to the data server; wirelessly receiving updated map information corresponding to the selected area from the data server; and loading the received updated map information into the navigation device.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide methods, processes and systems for use in determining navigation. Some embodiments provide methods that receive a communication at a mobile navigation system from an external device, determine whether the communication comprises navigation information, extract the navigation information when the communication comprises navigation information, identify a navigation location based on the navigation information, retrieve a current location, and generate navigation instructions between the current location and the navigation location.

Abstract: A method of providing emergency related information to and from a centralized location over a wireless network. The method utilizes cellular phones in emergency communications and entails two embodiments that employ location-aware technologies, in portable form, in security applications. One embodiment serves as a modern high-tech “neighborhood watch,” enabling law enforcement access to the many “eyes and ears” of the public simultaneously via available cell phones. Cell phones with embedded digital cameras allow the instant capture and remote submission of suspicious circumstances to law enforcement through pictures or video.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an aircraft that may have a fuselage and a cockpit located within the fuselage. A display may be located within the cockpit, with the display being controlled by a display control system. The display control system may have a graphical user interface module that generates at least one of a primary display or a context display, and receives at least one user input, and an image control module. The image control module may generate primary display data for display on the primary display based on the at least one user input. The image control module may determine, based on the primary display data, whether the context display is displayed, and may automatically display the context display as an overlay in a corner portion of the primary display when the at least one user input causes a portion of information associated therewith to be unavailable for display on the primary display.

Abstract: A map displaying device for displaying an accessible range in an arbitrary display form determined in accordance with the scale of a displayed map and/or with the running state of a vehicle is provided. The map displaying device includes: a display unit for displaying map information stored in a map database; a search unit for calculating travel time information regarding a travel time to an arbitrary point accessible from a reference point; and a time information drawing unit for displaying the travel time information in a superimposed manner on the display unit by varying a display form in accordance with the scale of a map and/or with the running state of a user's vehicle.