`Case No. IPR2016-00156
`Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. - Petitioner
`West View Research, LLC - Patent Owner
`
`1
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`U.S. Paten
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`Jan
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`THREE-IIIIIIIIIIIIAP
`
`1
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`V
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`
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`D|3pMY
`
`VEH|CLE POS|T|ON MARK
`
`2
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 2, 2001
`
`Sheet 2 of 55
`
`US 6,169,552 B1
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` s2
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`4
`
`s3
`8
`
`VDICE INPUT/OUTPUT
`DEVICE
`
`5
`
`s4
`
`11
`
`s10
`
`INPUT DEVICE
`
`IN-VEHICLE
`LAN DEVICE
`
`7
`
`8
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`TRAFFIC INFORMATION
`RECEIVER
`
`Fig. 2
`
`3
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`
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 2, 2001
`
`Sheet 3 of 55
`
`US 6,169,552 B1
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`CALCULKHONPROCESSOR
`
`Cficncnanan(J‘I
`-l>CaOl\JEQDI‘\IO3
`
`
` cncncncn
`
`COUNTER
`
`4
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`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 2, 2001
`
`Sheet 4 of 55
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`US 6,169,552 B1
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`CALCULATION PROCESSOR
`
`CIJCIJCIJCIJ1\lG)CJ‘I
`
`S2
`
`CURRENT
`POSITION
`CALCULATOR
`
`MAP
`MATCHING
`PROCESSOR
`
`DATA
`READING
`UNIT
`
`LOCUS
`STORAGE
`
`DISPLAY
`
`STORAGE
`UNIT
`
`ROUTE
`GUIDANCE
`
`MAP
`DISPLAY
`UNIT
`
`5
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`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 2, 2001
`
`Sheet 5 of 55
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`US 6,169,552 B1
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`
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`:23><._%_o>>m__>:22><._%_o>>m__>
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`
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`
`
`32.
`
`:22ez_Em:22
`
`
`
`:2:02.55%
`
`
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`><._n_m_m_n_<s_
`
`oo_._E_>_
`
`
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`._<zo_mzm_s__o-m_m_m_.:._<zo_mzm_s__o-o2:._<zo_mzm__>__o.o>E
`
`
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`:22><._%_n_n_<_>_
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`E_on_.>>m__>$585%
`
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`
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`zoEmon_oz_Emzo:_8._
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`
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`
`
`E.m_e__mn_<2E.m_e__mas:2:><._%_on_<s_
`
`
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`6
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 2, 2001
`
`Sheet 6 of 55
`
`US 6,169,552 B1
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`THREE-DIMENSIONAL MAP
`BIRD'S-EYE VIEW DISPLAY UNIT
`
`START
`
`SET MARK
`
`PERSPECTIVE
`TRANSFORMATION
`
`HIDDEN-SURFACE
`REMOVAL PROCESSING
`
`LIGHT SOURCE
`CALCULATION
`
`ISSUE DRAWING
`COMMAND
`
`SELECT MAP
`CONSTITUENT
`
`1005
`
`1007
`
`DISPLAY
`SWITCHED?
`
`INVISIBLE
`CONSTITUENT
`
`IS NOT DISPLAYED
`
`INVISIBLE CONSTITUENT
`IS DISPLAYED
`
`CHANGE DISPLAY
`ATTRIBUTE
`
`ISSUE DRAWINGS
`COMMAND
`
`1008
`
`1009
`
`TO PROCESSING 1
`
`Fig. 6
`
`7
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`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 2, 2001
`
`Sheet 7 of 55
`
`US 6,169,552 B1
`
`THREE DIMENSIONAL MAP
`BIRD'S-EYE VIEW DISPLAY UNIT
`
`PROCESSING I
`
`1010
`
`DISPLAY
`SWITCHED?
`
`INVISIBLE MARK IS
`DISPLAYED
`
`INVISIBLE MARK IS
`NOT DISPLAYED
`
`CHANGE DISPLAY
`“TRIBUTE
`
`ISSUE DRAWING
`COMMAND
`
`Fig. 7
`
`8
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`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 2, 2001
`
`Sheet 8 of 55
`
`US 6,169,552 B1
`
`1101 CURRENT
`POSITION
`MARK IS SET
`
`CURRENT POSITION _MARK SET? SHAPE AND POSITION
`
`SET CURRENT MARK
`
`
`1102
`
`CURRENT POSITION
`MARK IS NOT SET
`
`1103
`
`1104
`
`DESTINATION
`MARK IS SET
`
`SET DESTINATION MARK
`
`DE5g,'§‘A[I$NMARK- SHAPEANDPOSITION
`
`ED?
`
`DESTINATION
`MARK IS NOT SET
`
`1105
`
`1105
`
`DE MARK
`
`GUIDE MARK
`'3 SET
`
`DIISIPLAYED? - OFGUIDEDIRECTION
`
`SET SHAPE AND POSITION
`
`1103
`
`EAEEEIIARKS
`
`SET SHAPE AND POSITION
`OF MARKS TO BE DISPLAYED
`
`GUIDE MARK
`IS NOTSET
`
`110T
`
`OTHER MARKS
`DISPLAYED?
`
`OTHER MARKS
`ARE NOT SET
`
`END
`
`Fig. 8
`
`9
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`
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 2, 2001
`
`Sheet 9 of 55
`
`US 6,169,552 B1
`
`SELECTION OF MAP CONSTITUENT
`
`.ART
`
`1041
`
`I042
`
`§€I‘E”c'%ED
`SEIIIIROAD
`
`1045
`
`IDENTIFY CONSTITUENT
`ATTRIBUTE
`
`1047
`
`JUDGEAREA OF
`CONSTITUENT
`
`1049
`
`ROAD IS
`NOT SELECTED
`SELECT INVISIBLE
`CONSTITUENT
`
`"043
`
`1044
`
`SELECTION IS BASED
`ONATTRIBUTE
`
`ON ATTRIBUTE?
`
`SELECTION IS NOT
`BASED ON ATTRIBUTE
`
`1046
`
`SELECTION BASED
`ON AREA?
`
`SELECTION IS
`BASEDONAREA
`
`SELECTION IS NOT
`BASED ON AREA
`
`1048
`
`SELECTION BASED
`ON DISTANCE?
`
`SELECTION IS
`BASED ON DISTANCE
`
`JUDGE DISTANCE
`OF CONSTITUENT
`
`SELECTION IS NOT
`BASED ON DISTANCE
`
`END
`
`Fig. 9
`
`10
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`
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 2, 2001
`
`Sheet 10 of 55
`
`US 6,169,552 B1
`
`ROAD SELECTION
`
`1042
`
`SELECT
`INVISIBLE ROAD
`
`I061
`
`I062
`
`SELECTION BASED
`ON ROAD ATTRIBUTE
`
`SELECTION IS
`BASED ON
`ROAD ATTRIBUTE
`
`SELECT ROAD
`ATTRIBUTE
`
`SELECTION IS NOT
`BASED ON
`ROAD ATTRIBUTE
`
`1054
`
`CONNEC'|'|ON To
`VISIBLE ROAD?
`
`NO CONNECTION
`TO VISIBLE ROAD
`
`CONNECTION TO
`VISIBLE ROAD
`
`JUDGE CONNECTION
`TO VISIBLE ROAD
`
`SELECHQN BASED
`ON DISTANCE?
`
`SELECTION IS
`BASED ON DISTANCE
`
`JUDGE ROAD
`DISTANCE
`
`SELECTION IS NOT
`BASED ON DISTANCE
`
`Fig. 10
`
`11
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`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 2, 2001
`
`Sheet 11 of 55
`
`US 6,169,552 B1
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`SELECTION OF ROAD ATTRIBUTE
`
`1063
`
`1°82
`
`ROAD OF SPECIFIC
`ATTRIBUTE IS
`SELECTED
`
`SELECT ROAD 0|:
`ROAD OF SPECIFIC
`ATTRIBUTE _
`PRESCRIBED ATTRIBUTE
`DBPLAYED?
`
`ROAD OF
`
`1083
`
`NOT SELECTED
`VEHICLE-RUNNING
`OAD DISPLAYED?
`
`VEHICLE-RUNNING
`ROAD |s
`SELECTED
`
`1034
`
`SELECTVEHELE.
`RUNNING ROAD
`
`1085
`
`G
`
`VEHICLE -RUNNING
`ROAD IS NOT
`U|DE ROAD
`SELECTED
`SELECT GUIDE ROAD
`'3 SELECTED
`GD%3PEL§$EIg,E
`GU|DE ROAD [3
`
`1085
`
`NOT SELECTED
`
`TO PROCESSING 2
`
`Fig. 11
`
`12
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 2, 2001
`
`Sheet 12 of 55
`
`US 6,169,552 B1
`
`1063
`
`SELECTION OF ROAD ATTRIBUTE
`
`PROCESSING2
`
`1090
`
`TRAFFIC-JAM ROAD
`'3 SELECTED
`SELECT ROAD HAVING
`TRAFFIC JAM
`
`TRAFFIC-JAM ROAD
`IS NOT SELECTED
`
`ROAD HAVING
`
`ROAD HAVING
`NO TRAFFIC
`JAM '5 SELECTED
`
`SELECT ROAD HAVING
`NO TRAFFIC JAM
`
`JAM IS NOT SELECTED
`
`1094
`
`RESTRICTED
`
`ROAD IS
`SELECTED
`
`1095
`
`SELECT
`RESTRICTED ROAD
`
`RESTRICTED
`ROAD IS NOT
`SELECTED
`
`1095
`
`NON-RESTRICTED
`ROAD
`
`ISSEEECTED
`
`I097
`
`NON-REETCRICTED
`
`ROAD
`
`NON-RESTRICTED
`ROAD IS
`NOT SELECTED
`
`END
`
`Fig. 12
`
`13
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 2, 2001
`
`Sheet 13 of 55
`
`US 6,169,552 B1
`
`CHANGE OF DISPLAY AITRIBUTE
`
`1008, 1011
`
`1021
`
`THROUGH-VISION
`
`THROUGH-VISION
`PROCESSING IS
`NOT PERFORMED
`
`THRg,U,gg-Evgg:<N>N
`'3 PERFORMED
`THROUGH-VISION
`DISPLAY
`
`1024
`
`CHANGEOF
`ATTERN JUDGED7
`PATTERN IS
`NOT CHANGED
`1026
`
`1023
`
`«>25
`
`AWBUTE
`CHANGE DISPLAY
`NEIENLED
`CHANGE
`
`PAITERN
`
`CHANGE OF LINE
`WIDTH JUDGED?
`
`LINE WIDTH IS
`NOT CHANGED
`
`1028
`
`COLOR
`CHANGE JUDGED?
`
`CHANGE
`HNEWIDTH
`
`COLOR IS
`NOT CHANGED
`
`CHANGE COLOR
`
`Fig. 13
`
`14
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 2, 2001
`
`Sheet 14 of 55
`
`US 6,169,552 B1
`
`(THREE-DIMENSIONAL MAP BIRD'S-EYE VIEW DISPLAY UNIT)
`
`START
`
`SET MARK
`
`1121
`
`PERSPECTIVE
`TRANSFORMATION
`
`1122
`
`HIDDEN-SURFACE
`REMOVAL PROCESSING
`
`1123
`
`LIGHT SOURCE
`CALCULATION
`
`1124
`
`11
`
`26
`
`SELECT
`
`CONSTITUENT
`
`FRONT
`CONSTITUENT
`REMOVED?
`
`FRONTCONSTITUENT
`IS DISPLAYED
`
`1126a
`
`II25
`RONTCONSTITUENT
`IS REMOVED
`
`1:
`
`1127
`
`SPECIFY/REMOVE
`FRONT CONSTITUENT
`
`DISPLAY FRONT
`
`Cg1§§§13TTUEET11T
`DISPLAYED?
`NOT DISPLAY
`
`DISPLAY
`
`CONSTITUENT INFORMATION
`1126b
`1128
`SPECIFY FRONT
`CONSTITUENT/CHANGE DATA
`
`ISSUE
`DRAWING COMMAND
`
`“29
`
`Fig. 14
`
`15
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 2, 2001
`
`Sheet 15 of 55
`
`US 6,169,552 B1
`
`FRONT CONSTITUENT INFORMATION DISPLAY
`
`GROUND PLANE OF
`FRONT CONSTITUENT
`msmm
`
`GROUND PLANE OF
`FRONT CONSTITUENT
`'5 '3'5PWE'3
`
`D|3p|_AY
`TW<?oB's““TTT“u'°“é‘NTAL
`
`.
`
`GROUND PLANE OF
`FRONT CONSTITUENT
`
`IS NOT DISPLAYED
`
`NAME OF FRONT
`CONSTITUENT
`IS NOT DISPLAYED
`
`NAME OF FRONT
`
`cg|gIgg;,TYUEEDNT
`
`'
`
`S DISPLAYED
`
`oP'§5LN‘§Yr:”r‘E;“éET
`
`Fig. 15
`
`16
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 2, 2001
`
`Sheet 16 of 55
`
`US 6,169,552 B1
`
`IS FRONT
`CONSTITUENT
`ROAD?
`
`CONSTITUENT
`OTHER THAN ROAD
`REMOVE OVERALL
`FRONT CONSTITUENT
`
`OVERLAP IS ABOVE
`PREDETERMINED VALUE
`
`OVERELTAVVOUNT
`PREDETERMINED
`VALUE?
`
`OVERLAP IS BELOW
`
`PREDETERMINED VALUE
`
`DETERMINED ROAD
`TO BE REMOVED
`
`DELET§O3AF§C'F'C
`
`PERFORM STEPS
`112210 1124 AGAIN
`
`Fig. I 6
`
`17
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 2, 2001
`
`Sheet 17 of 55
`
`US 6,169,552 B1
`
`THREE-DIMENSIONAL MAP B|RD'S-EYE VIEW DISPLAY UNIT
`
`I261
`
`PERSPECTIVE
`TRANSFORMATION
`
`1252
`
`HIDDEN-SURFACE
`REMOVAL PROCESSING
`
`1263
`
`LIGHT SOURCE
`CALCULATION
`
`1266
`
`SELECT
`CONSTITUENT
`
`2254
`
`1255
`
`1267
`
`SELECTED RENEWVIEWPOINT
`
`NOT SELECTED
`
`ISSUE DRAWING
`COMMAND
`
`2268
`
`Fig. 17
`
`18
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 2, 2001
`
`Sheet 18 of 55
`
`US 6,169,552 B1
`
`THREE-DIMENSIONAL MAP BIRD'S-EYE VIEW DISPLAY UNIT
`
`SET MARK
`
`PERSPECTIVE
`TRANSFORMATION
`
`HIDDEN-SURFACE
`REMOVAL PROCESSING
`
`LIGHT SOURCE
`CALCULATION
`
`SELECT
`CONSTITUENT
`
`118
`
`NOT SELECTED
`
`DETERMINED OVERLAP
`DISPLAY AREA
`
`INSTRUCT MAP DISPLAY
`
`ISSUE DRAWING
`COMMAND
`
`1188
`
`Fig. 18
`
`19
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 2, 2001
`
`Sheet 19 of 55
`
`US 6,169,552 B1
`
`MAP DISPLAY INSTRUCTION
`
`TWO-DIMENSIONAL —
`MAP DISPLAYED?
`SET DISPLAY AREA
`
`1202
`
`TWO-DIMENSIONAL MAP
`BIRD's-EYEVIEW
`
`MAP DISPLAYED?
`
`THREE-DIMENSIONAL MAP
`B|RD'S-EYE VIEW MAP
`DISPLAYED?
`
`DISPLAY
`TWO-DIMENSIONAL MAP
`
`I)
`PLAY AR A
`ANDS\/EIAWAPOINTPOEITION
`
`1206
`
`DISPLAY TWO-DIMENSIONAL
`BIRD‘S-EYE VIEW MAP
`
`1208
`
`sET DISPLAY AREA AND
`VIEW-POINT POSITION
`1209
`
`DISPLAY
`THREE-DIMENSIONAL
`BIRD'S-EYE VIEW MAP
`
`Fig. 19
`
`20
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 2, 2001
`
`Sheet 20 of 55
`
`US 6,169,552 B1
`
`THREE-DIMENSIONAL MAP BIRD'S-EYE VIEW DISPLAY UNIT
`
`SET MARK
`
`PERSPECTIVE
`TRANSFORMATION
`
`1222
`
`HIDDEN-SURFACE
`REMOVAL PROCESSING
`
`LIGHT SOURCE
`CALCULATION
`
`1223
`
`1224
`
`12
`
`25
`
`IS CURRENT POSITION
`INVISBLE?
`
`CURRENT POSITION
`IS INVISIBLE
`
`DISPLAY MAP
`
`CURRENT POSITION
`IS VISIBLE
`
`ISSUE DRAWING
`COMMAND
`
`Fig. 20
`
`21
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 2, 2001
`
`Sheet 21 of 55
`
`US 6,169,552 B1
`
`
`
`VEHICLE POSITION MARK
`
`THREE-DIMENSIONAL MAP DISPLAY
`ACCORDING TO CONVENTIONAL SYSTEM
`
`Fig. 21A
`
`DESTINATION MARK
`
`ROAD ON HIDDEN SURFACE
`
`2003
`
`VEHICLE POSITION MARK
`
`THREE-DIMENSIONAL MAP DISPLAY
`ACCORDING TO THE PRESENT INVENTION
`
`Fig. 21B
`
`22
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 2, 2001
`
`Sheet 22 of 55
`
`US 6,169,552 B1
`
`Fig. 22A
`
`2031
`
`
`INVISIBLE AREA
`
`
`
`
`INVISIBLE CONSTITUENT IIISPLAY AREA
`
`Fig. 223
`
`2036
`
`2035
`
`23
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 2, 2001
`
`Sheet 23 of 55
`
`US 6,169,552 B1
`
`2041
`
`TARGETED
`CON
`ENT
`IS HI
`
`2043
`
`TARGETED
`CONSTITUENT
`
`THREE-DIME
`ACCORDING TO
`
`ONAL MAP D|SPLAY
`VENTIONAL SYSTEM
`
`THREE-
`ACCORDTN
`
`NSIONAL MAP DISPLAY
`THE PRESENT INVENTION
`
`Fig. 233
`
`24
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 2, 2001
`
`Sheet 24 of 55
`
`US 6,169,552 B1
`
`2061
`
`HIDDEN
`
`ROAD TO BE
`NOTED IS
`
`THREE-DIMENSIONAL MAP DISPLAY
`ACCORDING TO CONVENTIONAL SYSTEM
`
`Fig. 24A
`
`2063
`
`DISPLAYED
`
`ROAD TO BE
`NOTED IS
`
`THREE-DIMENSIONAL
`ACCORDING TO THE PRE
`
`DISPLAY
`INVENTION
`
`Fig. 24B
`
`25
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 2, 2001
`
`Sheet 25 of 55
`
`US 6,169,552 B1
`
`2081
`
`Fig. 25A
`
`
`
`GUIDE MARK DISPLAY BY REMOVING CONSTITUENT
`
`Fig. 253
`
`26
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 2, 2001
`
`Sheet 26 of 55
`
`US 6,169,552 B1
`
`Fig. 26A
`
`
`
`DISPLAY NAME OF CONSTITUENT
`
`Fig. 26B
`
`27
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 2, 2001
`
`Sheet 27 of 55
`
`US 6,169,552 B1
`
` POSITION
`
`MARK
`
`DISPLAY WHEN ROADS ARE OVERLAPPED wnn EACH OTHER
`
`Fig. 27A
`
`
`
`CURRENT
`POSITION
`MARK
`
`DISPLAY WHEN ROAD IS REMOVED
`
`Fig. 27B
`
`28
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 2, 2001
`
`Sheet 28 of 55
`
`US 6,169,552 B1
`
`TWO-DIMENSIONAL
`
`2123
`
`
`
`DISPLAY WHILE TWO-DIMENSIONAL MAP IS OVERLAID
`
`VEHICLE POSITION MARK
`
`Fig. 28A
`
`TWO-DIMENSIONAL
`BIRDSMEAYPE VIEW
`
`2125
`
`
`
`DISPLAY WHILE TWO-DIMENSIONAL BIRD'S-EYE VIEW MAP IS OVERLAID
`
`VEHICLE POSITION MARK
`
`Fig. 28B
`
`29
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 2, 2001
`
`Sheet 29 of 55
`
`US 6,169,552 B1
`
`
`
`THREE-DIMENSIONAL MAP DISPLAY WHEN
`RUNNING THROUGH TUNNEL
`Fig. 29A
`
` ’ ZI45
`
`THREE-DIMENSIONAL B|RD’S-EYE VIEW MAP DISPLAY
`WHEN RUNNING THROUGH TUNNEL
`
`Fig. 293
`
`30
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 2, 2001
`
`Sheet 30 of 55
`
`US 6,169,552 B1
`
`ODEPARTMENT
`XXHOSPITAL STORE
`
`DISPLAY IMAGE BASED ON CHARACTER DISPLAY PROCESSING
`
`Fig. 30
`
`31
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 2, 2001
`
`Sheet 31 of 55
`
`US 6,169,552 B1
`
`START CHARACTER
`INFORMATION DISPLAY
`
`
`
`
`OBJECT HAVING
` NO OBJECT
`CHARACTER INFORMATION
`
`DETECTED?
`
`
`
`
`
`Y
`
`DETERMINE DISPLAY AREA OF OBJECT
`
`READ OUT CHARACTER INFORMATION OF OBJECT
`
`SET DISPLAY AREA OF CHARACTER INFORMATION
`
`SET DISPLAY LAYOUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION
`
`4016
`
`DISPLAY CHARACTER INFORMATION
`
`END
`
`Fig. 31
`
`
`
`32
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 2, 2001
`
`Sheet 32 of 55
`
`US 6,169,552 B1
`
`Fig. 32C
`
`MAP DB
`
`
`
`3022
`
`CHARACTER INFORMATION
`
`OF OBJECT “OOBU|LD|NG”
`
`O0
`BUILDING
`
`LAYOUTOFCHARACTER
`INFORMATION
`
`3022
`
`DETERMINATION OF LAYOUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION
`
`
`
`OVERWRITE DISPLAY OF CHARACTER INFORMATION
`
`33
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 2, 2001
`
`Sheet 33 of 55
`
`US 6,169,552 B1
`
`4041
`
` START CALCULATION OF
`
`CHARACTER DISPLAY POSITION
` CALCULATE xmin, xmax iémin, max
`ES
`FROM COORDINATESO AP
`
`OFOBJECTDISPLAY SURFACES
`
`
`
`SET RECTANGLE ABCD
`SURROUNDED BY x, yVALUES
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`DETERMINE INTERSECTION POINTS A’ C’ BETWEEN
`DIAGONAL LINE OF APEXES A, C NOT CONTAINED IN DISPLAY
`SURFACE S, AND SIDES fa, fc INTERSECTING THE DIAGONAL
`
`
`
`
`4043
`
`4044
`
`
`
`
`DETERMINE NEW RECTANGLE A’B’C’D’
`HAVING A’, C’ AS APEXES,AND SET IT
`
`
`AS CHARACTER DISPLAY AREA
`
`Fig. 33
`
`34
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`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 2, 2001
`
`Sheet 34 of 55
`
`US 6,169,552 B1
`
`Fig. 34A
`
`DISPLAY OBJECT
`
`F1‘
`
`.3413
`/
`
`OBJECT DISPLAY AREA
`
`35
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 2, 2001
`
`Sheet 35 of 55
`
`US 6,169,552 B1
`
`START
`CHARACTER LAYOUT
`
`DETERMINECHARACTER SIZE dx dE OF
`CHARACTER INFORMATION TO BE DEV LOPED
`
`4051
`
`DETERMINE NUMBER OF LINES M1 OF
`CHARACTER INFORMATION WHICH CAN BE
`
`DISPLAYED IN CHA|\I}1ACXT/(IER DISPLAY AREA SC
`
`=
`
`x
`
`DETERMINE NUMBER OF CHARACTERS M2 PER LINE
`OF CHARACTER INFORMATION WHICH CAN BE
`
`DISPLAYED IN CHAIGSICYT/ER DISPLAY AREA sc
`
`=
`
`
`
`CAN CHARACTER
`INFORMATION BE DEVELOPED INTO
`CHARACTER DISPLAY AREA Sc?
`n é M1 - M2
`
`DEVELOP CHARACTER INFORMATION
`WITHIN CHARACTER DISPLAY AREA
`
`
`y
`
`
`
`DEVELOP CHARACTER
`INFORMATION IN THE
`NEIGHBORHOOD OF
`OBJECT DISPLAY AREA
`
`END
`
`4066
`
`Fig. 35
`
`36
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 2, 2001
`
`Sheet 36 of 55
`
`US 6,169,552 B1
`
`
`
`I‘? C’!
`
`CHARACTER DISPLAY AREA
`
`Ififlfl
`
`.I__
`
`6
`
`D
`A
`
`N
`
`LEEEEIIIIIIII
`
`—»ldxl<—
`
`CHARACTER INFORMATION TO BE DEVELOPED
`zgaw
`
`
`
`DEVELOP CHARACTER INFORMATION IN CHARACTER DISPLAY AREA
`
`Eg%C
`
`37
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 2, 2001
`
`Sheet 37 of 55
`
`US 6,169,552 B1
`
`START CHARACTER LAYOUT
`
`DETERMINE CHARACTER SIZE dx, dy
`OF CHARACTER INFORMATION
`TO BE DEVELOPED
`
`4051
`
`4062
`
`
`
`
`
`DETERMINE NUMBER OF LINES M1 OF
`CHARACTER INFORMATION WHICH CAN BE
`
`
`
`4053
`
`DISPLAYED IN CHA&1AC)T/ER DISPLAY AREA Sc
`CAN CHARACTER
`
`SIZEIASPECTI CHARACTER
`INTERVALILINE SPACE
`DETERMINE NUMBER OF CHARACTERS M2
`CHANGE?
`
`PER LINE OF CHARACTER INFORMATION
`
`WHICH CAN BE DISPLAYED IN CHARACTER
`DISPLAY AREA Sc M2=Y/dy
`
`
`CHANGE CHARACTER
`
`SIZEIASPECTI CHARACTER
`
`INTERVALILINE SPACE
`
`
`CAN CHARACTER
`INFORMATION BE DEVELOPED INTO
`CHARACTER DISPLAY AREA Sc?
`
`n é M1 - M2
`
`DEVELOP CHARACTER
`INFORMATION IN THE
`
`NEIGHBORHOOD OF
`OBJECT DISPLAY AREA
`
`
`
`DEVELOP CHARACTER INFORMATION
`WITHIN CHARACTER DISPLAY AREA
`
`4066
`
`END
`
`Fig. 37
`
`38
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 2, 2001
`
`Sheet 38 of 55
`
`US 6,169,552 B1
`
`START CHARACTER DISPLAY
`IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF OBJECT
`
` 4091
`
`REFER TO COORDINATES OF APEXES
`OF RECTANGLE ABCD SET IN 4092
`
`4092
`
`4093
`
`
`
`SET CHARACTER DISPLAY AREA
`(x,y) TO x<xmm, x>xmax, y<ymIn, y>ymax
`
`
`
`DEVELOP CHARACTER INFORMATION
`
`Fig. 38
`
`39
`
`
`
`\\ B
`
`\\\A&%\
`
`D
`
`.mmNM
`
`W;mV:
`
`K
`
`40
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 2, 2001
`
`Sheet 40 of 55
`
`US 6,169,552 B1
`
`START CHARACTER
`INFORMATION DISPLAY
`
`
`
`VIEWPOINT
`MOVED AROUND
`OBJECT?
`
`
`
`
`
`EXCLUDE CHARACTER INFORMATION
`AS TARGETS TO BE SUBJECTED TO
`CHARACTER DISPLAY RENEWAL PROCESSING
`
`PERFORM PROCESSING OF
`STEPS 4011 TO 4016
`
`Fig. 40
`
`41
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 2, 2001
`
`Sheet 41 of 55
`
`US 6,169,552 B1
`
` -
`
`ET ______ __ _1OOBU|LD|NG
`Y
`.
`1-,
`I
`HA XTQ
`
`EXAMPLE OF DISPLAY FRAME (VIEWPOINT 3122)
`
`Fig. 41A
`
`
`
`EXAMPLE OF DISPLAY FRAME (VIEWPO|NT3123)
`
`Fig. 41B
`
`3123
`
`3122
`
`3
`
`3121
`
`MOVEMENT OF V|EWPO|NT
`
`AROUND OBJECT
`
`Fig. 41C
`
`VARMTTMNM%MEM§rM\1)PF1/%\\MFEO(1h?1ECT
`
`Fig. 41D
`
`42
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 2, 2001
`
`Sheet 42 of 55
`
`US 6,169,552 B1
`
`START CHARACTER
`INFORMATION DISPLAY
`
`SETDISPLAYAREAS OFALL CHARACTER
`INFORMATION ON DISPLAY FRAME
`ACCORDING TO 4001 TO 4011
`
`4131
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ALL CHARACTER
`INFORMATION CONCERNED
`HIDDEN BY OTHER
`OBJECTICHARACTER?
`
`Y
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`4132
`
`SET DISPLAY AREA Sc’ OF PORTION
`WHICH IS NOT HIDDEN BY FRONT OBJECT
`
`DETERMINE CHARACTER DISPLAY
`AREAAND LAYOUT ON THE BASIS OF Sc’
`
`4133
`
`4134
`
`N
`
`ALL CHARACTER
`INFORMATION IN DISPLAY
`FRAME COMPLETED?
`
`>
`
`Y
`
`4135
`
`END
`
`Fig. 42
`
`43
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 2, 2001
`
`Sheet 43 of 55
`
`US 6,169,552 B1
`
`3142
`
`3141
`
`3021
`
`CHARACTER INFORMATION IS HIDDEN BY OBJECT
`
`Fig. 43A
`
`
`
`MOVE CHARACTER INFORMATION IN OBJECT AREA
`
`Fig. 43B
`
`3021
`
`
`
`
`AABUILDING
`
`Sc’
`
`MOVE CHARACTER INFORMATION TO THE POSITION
`IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF OBJECTAREA
`
`Fig. 43C
`
`44
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 2, 2001
`
`Sheet 44 of 55
`
`US 6,169,552 B1
`
`
`START AREA Sc‘ SETTING PROCESSING
`
`
`
`4151
`
`4152
`
`
`
`
`CALCULATE CONTACT POINTS 3163 AND 3164 OF
`OCCUPATION AREAS 3161 AND 3162
`
`
`
`CALCULATE OCCUPATION AREAS 3161 AND 3162
`OF OVERLAPPED OBJECTS 3141 AND 3142
`
`
`
`SET AREA CONTAINING CONTACT POINTS 3163, 3164
`AS APEXES TO OBJECT DISPLAY AREA Sc‘
`
`
`
`4153
`
`Fig. 44
`
`45
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 2, 2001
`
`Sheet 45 of 55
`
`US 6,169,552 B1
`
`3142
`
`3141
`
`EXTRACTION OF OCCUPATION AREA ON XY PLANE OF
`EACH OBJ
`
`46
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 2, 2001
`
`Sheet 46 of 55
`
`US 6,169,552 B1
`
`
`
`START CHARACTER
`INFORMATION DISPLAY
`
`
`SET DISPLAY AREAS OFALL
`CHARACTER INFORMATION
`IN DISPLAY FRAMEACCORDING
`TD 4011 TO 4016
`
`4171
`
` CHARACTER INFORMATION
`OVERLAPPED WITH OTHER
`OBJECTICHARACTER?
`
`
`
`
`DISPLAY PRIORITY
`B1I13F1§'1éI1“1€§IE1%I
`'
`
`4174
`
`REFER TO DISPLAY
`
`
`
`PRIORITY CONTENT
`
`SET DISPLAY AREA OF PORTION
`WHICH IS NOT HIDDEN BY FRONT OBJECT
`
`
`NESTING-DISPLAY CHARACTER
`INFORMATION FROM LOWER PRIORITY
`OF HIGH PRIORITY
`OR DISPLAY ONLY INFORMATION
`
`
`
`
`CALCULATE CHARACTER
`DISPLAY POSITION
`
`
`
`Fig. 46
`
`
`
`
`
`INFORMATION IN
`DISPLAY FRAME
`COMPLETED?
`
`Y
`
`DISPLAY CHARACTER
`INFORMATION
`
`4179
`
`47
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 2, 2001
`
`Sheet 47 of 55
`
`US 6,169,552 B1
`
`Fig. 47A
`
`PRIORITY PROCESSING BASED ON OBJECT ATTRIBUTE
`("HOTEL" IS PREFERENTIALLY DISPLAYED)
`
`171g 4 7B
`
`48
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 2, 2001
`
`Sheet 48 of 55
`
`US 6,169,552 B1
`
`OODEPARTMENTSTORE
`
`OOBUILDWG
`
`Fig. 48A
`
`<><>DEPARTMENTSTORE
`
`OOBU”_D|NG
`
`3183
`
`3181
`
`3182
`
`PERIPHERY OF GUIDE ROAD IS
`REFERENTIALLY DISPLAYED
`
`Fig. 48B
`
`49
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 2, 2001
`
`Sheet 49 of 55
`
`US 6,169,552 B1
`
`O <>DEPARTMENT STORE
`
`<><>DEPARTMENT STORE
`
`TRAFFIC INFORMATION IS
`PREFERENTIALLY DISPLAYED
`
`Fig 493
`
`50
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 2, 2001
`
`Sheet 50 of 55
`
`US 6,169,552 B1
`
`Fig. 50A
`
`3181
`
`3182
`
`INFORMATION TRANSMHTED FROM SERVICE
`CENTER IS PREFERENTIALLY DISPLAYED
`
`Fig. 508
`
`51
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 2, 2001
`
`Sheet 51 of 55
`
`US 6,169,552 B1
`
`<><>DEPARTMENT STORE
`
`NO PRIORITY PROCESSING
`
`Fig. 51A
`
`3183
`
`3182
`
`GUIDANCE OF CROSSING IS
`PREFERENTIALLYDISPLAYED
`
`3191
`
`Fig. 5.1B
`
`52
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 2, 2001
`
`Sheet 52 of 55
`
`US 6,169,552 B1
`
`J
`
`10Km TRAFFIC JAM
`IN 0 DIRECTION
`
`Fig. 52A
`
`V
`
`T BUILDING
`
`.-.72
`
`VEHICLE-RUNNING ROAD IS PREFERENTIALLY DISPLAYED
`
`Fig. 523
`
`53
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 2, 2001
`
`Sheet 53 of 55
`
`US 6,169,552 B1
`
`<><>DEPARTMENT STORE
`
`<><>DEPARTM ENT STORE
`
`ROAD INFORMATION OVER WHICH VEHICLE
`WILL PASS IS PREFERENTIALLY DISPLAYED
`
`3182
`
`Fig. 533
`
`54
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 2, 2001
`
`Sheet 54 of 55
`
`US 6,169,552 B1
`
`<><>DEPARTMENT STORE
`
`NO NOTIFICATION ON HIDDEN CHARACTER IS GIVEN
`
`Fig. 54A
`
`00 DEPARTMENT STORE
`
`NOTIFICATION OF HIDDEN CHARACTER IS GIVEN
`
`Fig. 54B
`
`55
`
`
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 2, 2001
`
`Sheet 55 of 55
`
`US 6,169,552 B1
`
`MAP DISPLAY UNIT
`
`CHARACTER
`ATTRIBUTE
`CHANGWG UNIT
`
`DISTJLUALITLIALCTSTIION
`CALCULATING UNIT
`
`CHARACTER
`DISPLAY UNIT
`
`3294
`
`56
`
`
`
`US 6,169,552 B1
`
`1
`
`MAP DISPLAY DEVICE, NAVIGATION
`DEVICE AND MAP DISPLAY METHOD
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`
`The present invention relates to a map display device for
`displaying a three-dimensional map on a screen of a display
`device.
`
`2. Description of Related Art
`Anavigation device has been hitherto known as means of
`improving the convenience of running of a car. According to
`this type of navigation device, two-dimensional map vector
`data which are stored in a storage medium such as a
`CD-ROM or the like are read out to form a two-dimensional
`
`map in which map constituents such as buildings, roads,
`geographical
`features, etc. are shown, and the two-
`dimensional map thus formed is displayed on a display
`screen of a monitor or the like. Further, a current position
`(the position of a car), a destination, a route connecting the
`current position and the destination, etc. are displayed on the
`display screen while superposed on the two-dimensional
`map.
`
`According to the above-described prior art, the navigation
`device is improved so that a user can readily grasp surround-
`ing conditions around the current position by changing the
`display scale of the two-dimensional map on the display
`screen or displaying the two-dimensional map in a bird’s-
`eye view mode on the display screen.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`the improvement of the processing on the
`However,
`screen display in the conventional navigation device as
`described above is performed on the basis of the two-
`dimensional map. Accordingly, when the current position or
`the destination is located on a multilevel crossing or a
`sloping road, or on a road along which many buildings stand,
`it is diflicult to grasp the surrounding conditions of the
`current position or the destination because the surrounding
`conditions of these multilevel crossing, the sloping road, etc.
`are displayed two-dimensionally. Therefore,
`in order to
`make it easier to grasp the conditions of the circumferences
`of the current position and the destination, it is desirable to
`implement a navigation device for performing a three-
`dimensional map display in which a projection map to be
`obtained by viewing a three-dimensional map from any view
`point is displayed on the display screen.
`If the navigation device for displaying the three-
`dimensional map is implemented, there might occur a case
`where a map constituent to be noted is hidden by another
`map constituent and thus it is not displayed on the display
`screen. In this case, there might also occur a problem that
`information such as a current position, a destination, a route
`connecting the current position and the destination or the
`like which a user wishes to know is not displayed on the
`screen.
`
`Further, there might also occur a problem that visibility of
`attendant (related) information which is connected with each
`of map constituents such as buildings, roads, geographical
`features, etc. is much lower compared with a case where a
`two-dimensional map is displayed on the screen.
`The present invention has been implemented on the basis
`of the foregoing situation, and a first object of the present
`invention is to provide a map display device for performing
`a three-dimensional map display, which can display on a
`display screen even information which is located at a
`position where the information would be hidden.
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`2
`A second object of the present invention is to provide a
`map display device for performing a three-dimensional map
`display, which can prevent degradation in visibility of atten-
`dant information connected to map constituents.
`In order to attain the first object, according to a first aspect
`of the present invention, a map display device for displaying
`a map on a display screen comprises: a map storage unit for
`storing three-dimensional data of plural map constituents
`which constitute a three-dimensional map; a map constituent
`specifying unit for specifying a desired map constituent; and
`a map display unit for projecting each map constituent
`specified by the three-dimensional data stored in the map
`storage unit from a desired view point onto a plane to form
`a three-dimensional bird’s-eye view map, and displaying the
`three-dimensional bird’s-eye view map on the display
`screen, wherein the map display unit includes projection
`mode changing means for changing a projection mode in
`which a desired map constituent specified by the map
`constituent specifying unit or another map constituent which
`is nearer to the desired view point than the desired map
`constituent concerned is projected on the plane, when the
`desired map constituent concerned is hidden by the other
`map constituent and thus the desired map constituent is not
`displayed on the three-dimensional bird’s-eye view map,
`whereby the desired map constituent which would be origi-
`nally hidden by the other map constituent can be displayed
`on the display screen.
`Here, the map display unit may include view-point posi-
`tion changing means for changing the position of the desired
`view point to another position at which the desired map
`constituent can be displayed on the three-dimensional
`bird’s-eye view map, when the desired map constituent
`specified by the map constituent specifying unit is hidden by
`the other map constituent which is located nearer to the
`desired view point than the desired map constituent and thus
`the desired map constituent is not displayed on the three-
`dimensional bird’s-eye view map.
`Further,
`the map display unit may include two-
`dimensional map display means for
`forming a two-
`dimensional map on the basis of two-dimensional data of
`each map constituent and displaying the two*dimensional
`map on the display screen in place of the three-dimensional
`bird’s-eye view map when the desired map constituent
`specified by the map constituent specifying unit is hidden by
`the other map constituent which is located nearer to the
`desired view point than the desired map constituent and thus
`the desired map constituent is not displayed on the three-
`dimensional bird’s-eye view map.
`Still further,
`the map display unit may include two-
`dimensional map bird’s-eye view display means for
`forming, on the basis of two-dimensional data of each map
`constituent, a two-dimensional bird’s-eye view map which
`is obtained when a two-dimensional map is viewed from a
`desired view point, and displaying the two-dimensional
`bird’s-eye view map on the display screen in place of the
`three-dimensional bird’s-eye view map when the desired
`map constituent specified by the map constituent specifying
`unit is hidden by the other map constituent which is located
`nearer to the desired view point
`than the desired map
`constituent and thus the desired map constituent
`is not
`displayed on the three-dimensional bird’s-eye view map.
`Still further, the map display unit may include duplicative
`display means for forming a two-dimensional map on the
`basis of two-dimensional data of each map constituent and
`displaying the two-dimensional map on the display screen
`together with the three-dimensional bird’s-eye view map
`
`57
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`US 6,169,552 B1
`
`3
`when the desired map constituent specified by the map
`constituent specifying unit
`is hidden by the other map
`constituent which is located nearer to the desired View point
`than the desired map constituent and thus the desired map
`constituent is not displayed on the three-dimensional bird’s-
`eye View map.
`In addition, the map display unit may include duplicatiVe
`display means for forming, on the basis of two-dimensional
`data of each map constituent, a two-dimensional bird’s-eye
`View map which is obtained when a two-dimensional map is
`Viewed from a desired View point, and displaying the
`two-dimensional bird’s-eye View map on the display screen
`together with the three-dimensional bird’s-eye View map
`when the desired map constituent specified by the map
`constituent specifying unit
`is hidden by the other map
`constituent which is located nearer to the desired View point
`than the desired map constituent and thus the desired map
`constituent is not displayed on the three-dimensional bird’s-
`eye View map.
`In the first aspect of the present inVention, in order to form
`a three-dimensional bird’s-eye View map which is obtained
`by projecting each constituent specified by the three-
`dimensional data stored in the map storage unit onto a plane
`from a desired View point, the three-dimensional data of
`each map constituent
`is first subjected to a perspectiVe
`transformation to obtain two-dimensional coordinate data
`
`when these map constituents are projected onto a two-
`dimensional plane (projection plane) from a desired View
`point.
`Further, the coordinate data in the depth direction (line of
`sight) of these map constituents when the map constituents
`are Viewed from the desired View point are obtained.
`Subsequently, a hidden-surface remoVal processing is
`performed to remoVe data of a portion corresponding to a
`hidden surface of each map constituent which has been
`subjected to the perspectiVe transformation.
`Here, the hidden surface is defined as the surface of a
`portion located at the rear side of a map constituent or the
`surface of a portion which is hidden by a map constituent
`located at the front side and is thus unseen by a Viewer when
`a three-dimensional map is Viewed from a View point. The
`hidden-surface remoVal processing may be realized by Vari-
`ous methods used in the computer graphics field such as a Z
`sort method, a Z buffer method, a scan line method, a ray
`casting method or the like.
`In the first aspect, Various methods may be used to judge
`whether a desired map constituent specified by the map
`constituent specifying unit is hidden by another map con-
`stituent which is located nearer to a desired View point than
`the desired map constituent. For example,
`the following
`method may be used. A map constituent haVing
`perspectiVely-transformed two-dimensional coordinate data
`on a projection plane which is oVerlapped with the desired
`map constituent is detected, and the coordinate data in the
`depth (line of sight) direction of the detected map constitu-
`ent is compared with that of the desired map constituent to
`check which map constituent is closer (i.e., is nearer to the
`View point).
`According to the first aspect of the present inVention, map
`constituents or marks which are hidden by map constituents
`located at the closer side (nearer to the View point) can be
`displayed. Therefore, eVen when information which is
`required to be displayed by the user is located at such a
`position where it is hidden by a map constituent, a three-
`dimensional map can be displayed on the display screen.
`In order to attain the second object of the present
`inVention, according to a second aspect of the present
`
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`4
`inVention, a map display deVice for displaying a map and
`attendant information associated with map constituents con-
`stituting the map on a screen of the display deVice, com-
`prises: map information storing means for storing three-
`dimensional information of the map constituents; attendant
`information storing means for storing the attendant infor-
`mation of the map constituents stored in the map informa-
`tion storing means; three-dimensional map forming means
`for forming, on the basis of the information stored in the map
`information storing means, a three-dimensional map in
`which the map constituents are arranged on the three-
`dimensional coordinate, View-point setting means for setting
`a View-point position from which the three-dimensional map
`formed by the three-dimensional map forming means is
`Viewed to form a projection map; projection map forming
`means for forming the projection map which is to be
`obtained by Viewing the three-dimensional map formed by
`the three-dimensional map forming means from the View-
`point position which is set by the View-point setting means;
`means for reading out from the attendant information storing
`means the attendant information corresponding to a map
`constituent displayed on the projection map formed by the
`projection map forming means; display area detection means
`for detecting the display area on the projection map of a map
`constituent which is displayed on the projection map formed
`by the projection map forming means; display area setting
`means for setting the display area on the projection map of
`the attendant information associated with the map constitu-
`ent on the basis of the display area of the map constituent
`detected by the display area detection means; adding means
`for adding the attendant information to the display area of
`the attendant information which is set by the display area
`setting means; and display means for displaying on the
`screen of the display deVice the projection map which is
`added to the attendant information by the adding means.
`According to the second aspect of the present inVention,
`a three-dimensional map in which map constituents are
`arranged is first formed on the basis of data in the map
`storage means. Subsequently, the three-dimensional map is
`subjected to predetermined processing such as afline
`transformation, perspectiVe transformation or the like, and
`then subjected to a hidden-surface remoVal processing such
`as the Z buffer method or the like to form a projection map
`which is obtained by Viewing the three-dimensional map
`from a View-point.
`Thereafter, the attendant information of a map constituent
`displayed on the projection map is read out from the
`attendant information storage means, and then a display area
`on the projection map of the map constituent which is
`displayed on the projection map is detected. On the basis of
`the detected display area, the display area of the attendant
`information on the projection map is set according to any
`one of the following rules.
`(1) The display area of attendant information is set within
`the display area of a map constituent to which the attendant
`information is added.
`
`(2) The display area of attendant information is set in the
`neighborhood of the display area of a map constituent to
`which the attendant information is added.
`
`When the display area of the attendant information is set
`according to the method (1), the attendant information is
`displayed by being superposed on the corresponding map
`constituent. Here, the layout of the attendant information is
`set on the basis of the size of the display area of the attendant
`information. For example, when the attendant info