`
`
`
`DECLARATION OF ACCURACY
`
`
`I, David Baldwin, declare the following:
`
`
`1. I am over 18 years of age and competent to make this declaration.
`
`2. I am a qualified Japanese to English translator.
`
`3. I have translated the attached document identified as JPH09-311625.
`
`4. I affirm that the translated text has been translated and edited to the best of my ability and
`knowledge to accurately reflect the content, meaning, and style of the original text and constitutes
`in every respect a correct and true translation of the original document.
`
`5. I declare that all statements made herein of my knowledge are true, and that all statements made
`on information and belief are believed to be true, and that these statements were made with the
`knowledge that willful false statements and the like so made are punishable by fine or
`imprisonment, or both, under Section 1001 of Title 18 of the United States Code.
`
` hereby certify under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States of America that the foregoing
`is true and correct. Dated and signed on August 8, 2019.
`
`
`_____________________________
` (Translator’s Signature)
`
`
`David Baldwin
`_____________________________
`
` (Translator’s Printed Name)
`
`
`
`
`
`
` I
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`IPR2020-00408
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`

`

`(12) Unexamined Patent Application Publication (A)
`(19) Japan Patent Office (JP)
`(11) Patent Application Publication No.
`H9-311625
`(43) Publication Date: Dec. 2, 1997 (Heisei 9)
`FI
`Technical Indication
`G09B 29/00
`A
`G01C 21/00
`B
`G08G 1/0969
`
`(51) Int. Cl.6
`G09B 29/00
`G01C 21/00
`G08G 1/0969
`
`Ident. Code
`
`Internal Ref. No.
`
`
`
`Examination Request: Not Made
`(21) Filing No.
`H8-149740
`
`(22) Filing Date
`
`May 22, 1996 (Heisei 8)
`
`(16 Pages Total)
`
`(72) Inventor
`
`(74) Agent
`
`FD
`No. of Claims: 13
`(71) Applicant 000002185
`Sony Corp.
`6-7-35 Kita Shinagawa,
`Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo
`Kiyokazu Ikeda
`c/o Sony Corp.
`6-7-35 Kita Shinagawa,
`Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo
`Atsuo Waki, Patent Attorney
`(and One Other)
`
`
`(54) [Title] DISPLAY DEVICE, MAP DISPLAY DEVICE, DISPLAY METHOD, AND MAP
`DISPLAY METHOD
`
`
`(57) [Abstract]
`[Problem] To realize display that is easy to
`view and use for a user, display with a large
`information amount, and display that is
`interesting.
`[Resolution Means] By detecting a posture
`and/or movement state of a main body of a
`display device and changing a display content
`to match conditions such as a posture or
`movement of the main body of the device,
`display matching an actual orientation, display
`according to a posture of the device, switching
`between three-dimensional display and flat
`display, and the like are realized.
`
`
`
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`1
`
`[Scope of Patent Claims]
` [Claim 1] A display device, comprising:
`a state detection means of detecting a posture state and/or a
`movement state of a main body of the display device;
`a display means; and
`a display control means that can display a predetermined
`image on the display means and, based on detection
`information from the state detection means, change a display
`state of the displayed image.
`[Claim 2] A display device, comprising:
`a state detection means of detecting a posture state and/or a
`movement state of a main body of the map display device;
`a map-information
`storage means of
`storing map
`information;
`a display means; and
`a display control means that can display a map image based
`on map information read from the map-information storage
`means on the display means and, based on detection
`information from the state detection means, change a display
`aspect or a map display region of the displayed map image.
`[Claim 3] The map display device of claim 2, wherein the
`state detection means is provided with an incline sensor that
`detects an incline state of the main body of the map display
`device.
`[Claim 4] The map display device of claim 2, wherein the
`state detection means is provided with an orientation sensor
`that detects an actual orientation.
`[Claim 5] The map display device of claim 2, wherein the
`state detection means is provided with a movement-state
`sensor that detects a movement direction and/or a movement
`amount when the main body of the map display device is
`moved.
`[Claim 6] The map display device of claim 2, wherein the
`map image displayed on the display means can be set with an
`absolute direction or a relative direction, and
`the display control means changes a display state of the map
`image according to the posture state of the main body of the
`map display device detected by the state detection means so
`the set direction is substantially continually an upward
`direction in terms of gravity of the display means.
`[Claim 7] The map display device of claim 2, wherein the
`display control means changes a display state of the map
`image according to an orientation state of the main body of
`the map display device detected by the state detection means
`so an orientation of the map image displayed on the display
`means substantially continually matches an actual orientation.
`[Claim 8] The map display device of claim 2, wherein the
`display control means changes a display state of the map
`image according to the movement state of the main body of
`the map display device detected by the state detection means
`so the region displayed as the map image on the display
`means undergoes scrolling movement.
`[Claim 9] The map display device of claim 2, wherein the
`
`2
`
`display control means changes a display state of the map
`image according to an incline state of the main body of the
`map display device detected by the state detection means so
`the map image displayed on the display means switches
`between a two-dimensional image and a three-dimensional
`image.
`[Claim 10] The map display device of claim 2, further
`comprising: a current -position detection means; wherein
`the display control means is configured to be able to
`synthesize and display on the display means the map image
`based on the map information read from the map-information
`storage means and a position-presenting image based on
`current-position information detected by the current-position
`detection means and, based on the detection information from
`the state detection means, change the display aspect or the
`map display region of the displayed map image.
`[Claim 11] A display method of detecting a posture state
`and/or a movement state of a main body of a device having a
`display unit and changing a display state of an image
`displayed on the display unit according to the detected
`posture state and/or movement state of the main body of the
`device.
`[Claim 12] A map display method of detecting a posture state
`and/or a movement state of a main body of a device having a
`display unit and, when displaying a map image based on
`predetermined map information on the display unit, changing
`a display aspect or a map display region of the map image
`according to the detected posture state and/or movement state
`of the main body of the device.
`[Claim 13] The map display method of claim 12, wherein an
`incline posture of the main body of the device having the
`display unit is detected and the map image displayed on the
`display unit is switched between a two-dimensional image
`and a three-dimensional image according to a detected incline
`state.
`[Detailed Description of the Invention]
`[0001]
`[Field] The present invention relates to a display device and
`a display method that change a display state according to a
`state of a main body of the display device and particularly
`relates to a map-image display device and a map-image
`display method.
`[0002]
`[Conventional Art] In recent years, as are widespread in, for
`example, navigation systems, devices that display a map
`image on a display are known. Many of these store map
`information on a medium such as a CD-ROM; read map
`information of a required region, a vicinity of a current
`position, or the like from the CD-ROM; and display a map
`image based on this read map information.
`[0003]
`[Problem to be Solved by the Invention] Now, in such
`conventional electronic map display, the displayed map
`image itself is displayed with a specified direction of a screen
`as up, regardless of a posture or the like of a main body of
`this display device. As such, a user needs to view the map
`image by mentally aligning cardinal directions of the map
`image with actual cardinal directions.
`
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`3
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`Moreover, from a flat map image, it is difficult to visualize
`different regions, and realizing map display with higher
`added value is in demand.
`[0004]
`[Means for Solving the Problem] In view of such problems,
`the present invention has as an object to provide a display
`device, a display method, a map-display device, and a map-
`display method that can realize display that is easy to view
`and use for a user and display that can impart added value and
`is interesting.
`[0005] As such, the display device is provided with a state
`detection means of detecting a posture state and/or a
`movement state of a main body of the display device; a
`display means; and a display control means that can display
`a predetermined image on the display means and, based on
`detection information from the state detection means, change
`a display state of the displayed image. The display method
`detects a posture state and/or a movement state of a main
`body of a device having a display unit and changes a display
`state of an image displayed on the display unit according to
`the detected posture state and/or movement state of the main
`body of the device.
`[0006] Furthermore, the map display device is provided with
`a map-information storage means of storing map information,
`a display control means being able to display a map image
`based on map information read from the map-information
`storage means on a display means and, based on detection
`information from a state detection means, change a display
`aspect or a map display region of the displayed map image.
`The map display method detects a posture state and/or a
`movement state of a main body of a device having a display
`unit and, when displaying a map
`image based on
`predetermined map information on the display unit, changes
`a display aspect or a map display region of the map image
`according to the detected posture state and/or movement state
`of the main body of the device.
`[0007] That is, in the present invention, by changing a display
`content to match conditions such as a posture or movement
`of the main body of the device, display matching an actual
`orientation, display according to a posture of the device,
`switching between three-dimensional display and flat display,
`and the like are realized.
`[0008]
`[Embodiments of the Invention] An embodiment of the
`present invention is described below by using as an example
`an electronic map device that displays a map image. The
`description is given in the following order.
`1. Configuration of Electronic Map Device
`2. Posture and Movement Detection by Sensors
`3. Map Display Operations in Display-Orientation-
`Designated Mode
`4. Map Display Operations in Actual-Orientation-
`Reflecting Mode
`5. Map Display Operations in Vicinity-Map Display Mode
`6. Map Display Operations in Virtual Display Mode
`7. Map Display Operations in Navigation Display Mode
`8. Composite Operation of Various Modes
`[0009] 1. Configuration of Electronic Map Device
`
`4
`
`FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of the electronic map
`device of the present example, and FIG. 2 illustrates an
`appearance example of the electronic map device. As
`illustrated in FIG. 2, an electronic map device 1 is formed,
`for example, in a notebook shape of an extent that enables the
`display to be portable and has a display unit 2, which is a
`liquid-crystal display or the like, formed in an upper face.
`Moreover, used as a recording medium of electronic map data
`is, for example, a CD-ROM such as is used in a normal
`navigation system, and an insertion portion 3 for inserting
`this CD-ROM is provided.
`[0010] Furthermore, various controllers 4 are formed for user
`control. As the controllers 4, it is sufficient to provide those
`of forms necessary for various controls, such as pressable
`keys and jog dials. Of course, these may be of other forms,
`such as slide switches or rotating knobs. Necessary controls
`include a power on/off control; a mode-setting control; an
`operation for selecting a map region to display; scrolling and
`zooming of screen display; a control of requesting, for
`example, presentation of various information; and the like,
`and any forms may be adopted as long as these controls can
`be performed. Moreover, a configuration may be such that
`control devices such as a mouse and a keyboard can be
`connected and used.
`[0011] An internal configuration of the electronic map device
`1 is as illustrated in FIG. 1, and a CPU 10 is provided as a
`part that performs overall operation control. Moreover, a
`RAM 11 is prepared as a work region used in operations such
`as control/computation by the CPU 10, and a ROM 12 is
`provided as a region for holding an operation program or the
`like.
`[0012] A CD-ROM 20 inserted from the insertion portion 3
`illustrated in FIG. 2 is loaded in a CD-ROM driver 14. The
`CD-ROM driver 14 is a part that performs a reproduction
`operation of the CD-ROM 20 based on CPU 10 control. The
`CD-ROM 20 loaded in the CD-ROM driver 14 is recorded
`with map information and additional information such as
`names of map locations and building height information.
`Information reproduced from the CD-ROM 20 by the CD-
`ROM driver 14 is taken in by the RAM 11 and subjected to
`necessary processing.
`is
`that
`information
`[0013] Furthermore, map-image
`reproduced from the CD-ROM 20 and used for display is
`taken in by a map-image memory 15. The CPU 10 generates
`image data to display based on the map-image information
`and various additional information read from the CD-ROM
`20 and deploys this to the map-image memory 15. A
`necessary portion of the image data held by the map-image
`memory 15 is then sent to a display driver 13, and map
`display of a certain region is executed on the display unit 2.
`[0014] Furthermore, in the present example, the displayed
`map image is not limited to simply a normal map image
`recorded on the CD-ROM 20, and as described below, a
`bird’s-eye image and a three-dimensional image (3D image)
`can be displayed. While image data of the bird’s-eye image
`and the 3D image may of course be recorded in advance on
`the CD-ROM 20 and
`
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`5
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`a read bird’s-eye image or 3D image be supplied as-is to the
`display driver 13 and displayed, to conserve a recording
`capacity of the CD-ROM 20, it is favorable to only record
`building heights, building and facility types, and the like as
`additional information for generating the bird’s-eye image
`and the 3D image, using the map information and the
`additional information to generate the bird’s-eye image and
`the 3D image by image synthesis processing. An image
`synthesis unit 16 is provided to perform this processing, and
`this unit can virtually generate bird’s-eye images and 3D
`images of various regions (or images centered around various
`points on the map) based on CPU 10 control.
`[0015] Furthermore, the present example has not only a map-
`display function but also a function similar to a navigation
`system. That is, map display centered around a current
`position is performed automatically to enable travel guidance
`to be executed. From this necessity for current-position
`detection, a GPS receiver 18 is provided. The GPS receiver
`18 is a part for obtaining current-position information by a
`so-called GPS (global positioning system) and detects
`position
`information
`(latitude/longitude),
`absolute-
`orientation information, and velocity information based on a
`reception signal from a satellite. This information is supplied
`to the CPU 10.
`[0016] A sensor unit 17 is provided with sensors necessary to
`detect a posture state and a movement state of a main body of
`the electronic map device 1. Detection information from the
`sensor unit 17 is supplied to the CPU 10. Data and control
`signals are transmitted between the above units via a bus 19.
`Moreover, various control information from the control unit
`4 illustrated in FIG. 2 is input to the CPU 10.
`[0017] Based on the mode-setting control and a display-
`region-designating control from the control unit 4, the
`detection information from the sensor unit 17, detection
`information from the GPS receiver 18, and the operation
`program stored in the ROM 12, the CPU 10 controls the
`reproduction operation by the CD-ROM driver 14, the
`synthesis processing by the image synthesis unit 16,
`write/read operations of the map-image memory 15, and a
`display operation by the display driver 13. By this, map
`display sought by the user is executed on the display unit 2.
`[0018] 2. Posture and Movement Detection by Sensors
`Here, posture and movement detection of the main body of
`the electronic map device 1 by the sensor unit 17 is described.
`The sensor unit 17 is provided with an incline sensor function
`of detecting an incline state of the main body, an orientation
`sensor function of detecting an absolute orientation (north,
`south, east, and west), and a movement sensor function of
`detecting movement of the main body (movement direction
`and movement amount) and is equipped with various sensors
`necessary for these functions.
`[0019] In the description, first, as illustrated in FIG. 2,
`directions of up, down, left, and right relative to a screen of
`the display unit 1 of the main body of the electronic map
`device 1 are referred to as screen-up, screen-down, screen-
`right, and screen-left so as to be distinguished from up and
`down in terms of earth’s gravity and left and right in terms of
`absolute orientation.
`
`6
`
`[0020] FIG. 3 illustrates incline-state examples of the main
`body of the electronic map device 1. (a), (b), and (c) in FIG.
`3 illustrate the main body of the electronic map device 1
`rotated in a screen-up/screen-down direction around an axis
`from screen-left to screen-right. That is, in (a) in FIG. 3, the
`electronic map device 1 is substantially horizontal, and (b)
`and (c) in FIG. 3 illustrate postures of a screen-up portion
`being lifted upward in terms of gravity. Although not
`illustrated, a posture of a screen-down portion being lifted
`upward in terms of gravity is of course also possible.
`Moreover, (a), (d), and (e) in FIG. 3 illustrate the main body
`of the electronic map device 1 rotated in a screen-left/screen-
`right direction around an axis from screen-up to screen-down.
`That is, (d) and (e) in FIG. 3 illustrate postures of a screen-
`left portion being lifted upward in terms of gravity from the
`horizontal state in (a) in FIG. 3. Although not illustrated, a
`posture of a screen-right portion being lifted upward in terms
`of gravity is also possible.
`[0021] As the sensor that detects these incline states, it is
`favorable to biaxially form in the sensor unit 17 an incline
`sensor made using, for example, a mercury switch or equip in
`the sensor unit a gravity sensor that detects the direction of
`gravity. The posture changes arise according to how the user
`holds the electronic map device 1, how the user places the
`device (horizontally, on a desk or the like, or vertically,
`leaning up against something), and the like.
`[0022] Next, FIG. 4 illustrates relationships between the main
`body of the electronic map device 1 and an absolute
`orientation. (a) in FIG. 4 is a state wherein the screen-up
`portion faces the absolute orientation north, (b) in FIG. 4 is a
`state wherein the screen-left portion faces north, and (c) in
`FIG. 4 is a state wherein a portion between the screen-down
`portion and the screen-left portion faces north. As in the
`above for example, the present example also detects an
`orientation posture of the electronic map device 1 in terms of
`absolute orientation. As such, the sensor unit 17 is equipped
`with an orientation sensor such as an electronic compass.
`Conceivable as an actual example is, for example, adopting a
`magnetic-field sensor. Moreover, orientation information of
`a travel direction obtained by the GPS receiver 18 may be
`used as the orientation sensor.
`[0023] FIG. 5 illustrates movement conditions of the main
`body of the electronic map device 1. The arrow in (a) in FIG.
`5 illustrates, for example, a state wherein the user holds the
`electronic map device 1 horizontally in their hand and moves
`the device in front of their body so as to draw a circle, and the
`arrows in (b) in FIG. 5 illustrates a state wherein the device
`is moved in a certain direction, screen-up, -down, -left, or -
`right. In the present example, when the electronic map device
`1 is moved in this manner, the movement direction and the
`movement amount are detected in terms of screen-up, -down,
`-left, and -right. As such, the sensor unit 17 is equipped with
`at least one sensor that can detect movement such as an
`acceleration sensor, velocity sensors, or a magnetic-field
`sensor. Note that the movement conditions may include, in
`addition to the movement of (a) and (b) in FIG. 5 in a state of
`the electronic map device 1 being horizontal relative to the
`earth’s surface, the movement of (a) and (b) in FIG. 5 in a
`state of the device being vertical or diagonal relative to the
`earth’s surface.
`[0024] In the present example,
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`7
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`the sensor unit 17 detects inclines, movements, and directions
`in terms of absolute orientation of the main body of the
`electronic map device such as those illustrated in FIG. 3, FIG.
`4, and FIG. 5 above and is equipped with sensors necessary
`for such. Sensor types and a sensor count may be any that
`enable detection of these inclines/movements/orientations.
`Moreover, as described below, the CPU 10 executes
`predetermined display output processing based on detected
`incline/movement/orientation conditions.
`[0025] Note that FIG. 6 illustrates an example of using the
`electronic map device 1 by installing the device on a
`predetermined stand 30. Here, the stand 30 is formed with a
`mounting portion 32 via a shank 31, and a mounting
`mechanism that is not illustrated on a back face of the
`electronic map device 1 is coupled to the mounting portion
`32. Moreover, by the shank 31, the electronic map device 1
`can incline/rotate in any direction in a state of being installed
`to the stand 30. With such a mechanism, it is also conceivable
`to provide a mechanical position sensor on a mounting-
`portion 32 and shank 31 side and detect posture conditions of
`the electronic map device 1 by operations thereof.
`[0026] 3. Map Display Operations in Display-Orientation-
`Designated Mode
`Display operations based on incline/movement/orientation
`detection of the electronic map device 1 are sequentially
`described below as display aspects in display operation
`modes. Note that a display-orientation-designated mode, an
`actual-orientation-reflecting mode, a vicinity-map display
`mode, a virtual display mode, and a navigation display mode
`can be set as the display operation modes of the present
`example, the operations in each mode described below being
`executed by the user selecting the mode by controlling the
`control unit 4.
`[0027] First, map display operations in the display-
`orientation-designated mode is described using FIG. 7, FIG.
`8, and FIG. 9. The display-orientation-designated mode is a
`display operation mode wherein a direction designated by the
`user is continually up in the map image regardless of the
`posture of the electronic map device 1 and is displayed
`matching an upward direction in terms of gravity of the
`electronic map device 1. Note that in the description, up,
`down, left, and right in the displayed map image, bird’s-eye
`image, or 3D image are referred to as map-up, map-down,
`map-left, and map-right, which are distinct from screen-up,
`screen-down, screen-right, and screen-left described above;
`up and down in terms of the earth’s gravity; and left and right
`in terms of absolute orientation.
`[0028] That is, in the display-orientation-designated mode,
`the designated direction is made to be map-up regardless of
`the posture of the electronic map device 1 (regardless of
`whether screen-up, screen-down, screen-right, or screen-left
`is up in terms of gravity) and display is performed so map-up
`and up in terms of gravity match. Directions able to be
`designated by the user are made to be absolute orientations
`such as north, south, east, and west as well as a current travel
`direction, a direction the user is facing, and the like.
`Moreover, when setting is not performed by the user,
`automatic setting such as making, for example, north be map-
`up as a reference direction may be performed.
`[0029] FIG. 7 illustrates control operations by the CPU 10 in
`the display-orientation-designated mode. Note that the user
`
`8
`
`designates a certain region as the map region to be displayed
`and map information and additional information of this
`region is read from the CD-ROM 20 and held in the map-
`image memory 15.
`[0030] During this display-orientation-designated mode, at
`step F101, the CPU 10 continually monitors posture detection
`information (incline state) from the sensor unit 17. Then, at
`step F102, it is determined whether the posture of the
`electronic map device 1 is in a horizontal/vertical/diagonal
`state as illustrated in FIG. 3. When the vertical or diagonal
`state is determined—as in, for example, (b), (c), (d), or (e) in
`FIG. 3—the flow proceeds to step F103. Then, it is confirmed
`whether additional information whereby a bird’s-eye image
`and a 3D image as viewed from a certain point in the region
`can be synthesized (or bird’s-eye image data or 3D image
`data itself) is present as the map information of the region to
`currently display.
`[0031] When no data necessary for the processing of
`synthesizing the bird’s-eye image and the 3D image is
`prepared for this region (not recorded on the CD-ROM 20),
`the flow proceeds from step F104 to F105 to perform normal,
`flat map display. Then, according to the posture of the main
`body of the electronic map device 1 detected at step F101,
`display-image data is generated so the map image, wherein
`up (map-up) is the designated direction, matches up in terms
`of gravity. This display-image data is supplied to the display
`driver 13, and display on the display unit 2 is executed. FIG.
`8 illustrates images of this situation.
`[0032] It is supposed that the user designates, for example,
`south as the designated direction in the display-orientation-
`designated mode. (a) in FIG. 8 is when it is supposed that the
`user is holding the electronic map device 1 vertically with the
`screen-up portion up in terms of gravity at this time. Here, as
`the map image, an image of the certain region wherein south
`is map-up is displayed; because screen-up and up in terms of
`gravity match, as illustrated, an image is displayed wherein
`screen-up is map-up (that is, south).
`[0033] Furthermore, (b) in FIG. 8 illustrates the screen-right
`portion being inclined downward in a state of the user holding
`the electronic map device 1 vertically. At this time, screen-up
`of the main body of the electronic map device 1 no longer
`matches up in terms of gravity. However, processing at step
`F105 generates the map image simply so map-up (= south)
`matches up in terms of gravity. Therefore, as illustrated, the
`displayed map image displays south as being up in terms of
`gravity such that a map image that is long from a south-east
`portion to a north-west portion of the map is displayed.
`[0034] Furthermore, (c) in FIG. 8 is a state wherein the user
`holds the electronic map device 1 vertically with the screen-
`left portion being upward. At this time as well, the processing
`at step F105 generates the map image simply so map-up (=
`south) matches up in terms of gravity. Therefore, as
`illustrated, the displayed map image displays south as being
`up in terms of gravity such that a map image that is long in a
`north-south direction of the map is displayed.
`[0035] As evident from comparing (a) to (c) in FIG. 8,
`
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`when the electronic map device 1 is held vertically in the
`display-orientation-designated mode, the map of the certain
`region is displayed simply according to the posture of the
`electronic map device 1 at this time so the designated
`direction is map-up in a direction that is up in terms of gravity
`among the screen-up, -down, -left, and -right directions.
`Therefore, as viewed by the user, the designated direction is
`displayed continually upward regardless of how
`the
`electronic map device 1 is rotated while being held vertically.
`In terms of a display control operation, the displayed map
`image changes orientation according to which direction up in
`terms of gravity is in terms of the screen-up, screen-down,
`screen-left, and screen-right directions. Note that this
`operation takes place not only in the vertical state but also
`when the diagonal state is detected.
`[0036] Now, when it is determined at step F104 that a bird’s-
`eye view or 3D display is possible, the flow proceeds to step
`F106, and three-dimensional image display from the certain
`point is performed. Then, here as well, regardless of the
`posture of the electronic map device 1, a vanishing point of
`the three-dimensional image (farthest point in a depth
`direction) becomes the designated direction, display being
`performed so this is up in terms of gravity. That is, up in the
`three-dimensional image is made to match up in terms of
`gravity. Note that the 3D image is displayed when a posture
`of an incline direction of the main body is vertical and the
`bird’s-eye image is displayed when this is diagonal.
`[0037] FIG. 9 illustrates an example of the electronic map
`device 1 being held vertically and the 3D image from the
`certain point being displayed. As the 3D image itself, an
`image viewing the designated direction (for example, south)
`from the certain point is generated. This is virtually
`synthesized by using additional information such as height
`information of buildings surrounding the specified point.
`Moreover, as evident from a comparison with (a), (b), and (c)
`in FIG. 8, regardless of which direction among the screen-up,
`screen-down, screen-left, and screen-right directions is up in
`terms of gravity in holding the electronic map device 1, in the
`displayed 3D image, map-up (that is, up in the 3D image)
`simply matches up in terms of gravity.
`[0038] Note that although not illustrated, when the electronic
`map device 1 is held in a diagonally inclined state, bird’s-eye
`display is executed in a similar aspect to FIG. 9. The bird’s-
`eye image is an image such as that illustrated in (b) in FIG.
`15.
`[0039] Now, when the electronic map device 1 is horizontal,
`the processing flows from step F102 to F107. Here, at this
`point, there is no direction among two-dimensional directions
`of screen-up, screen-down, screen-left, and screen-right that
`corresponds to up in terms of gravity. Therefore, at step F107,
`a posture immediately before the posture becomes horizontal
`is determined, and at step F108, display is performed so a
`direction deemed to be upward immediately before is
`considered to be up in terms of gravity. For example, when,
`as in (c) in FIG. 8, the electronic map device 1 is placed
`horizontally immediately after screen-left is deemed to be up
`in terms of gravity, display of the map image wherein screen-
`left is the designated direction (here, south) is executed.
`[0040] Note that as above, in the display-orientation-
`
`
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`10
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`designated mode, display is performed so the designated
`direction simply matches up in terms of gravity at a given
`time; it is needless to say that a detection precision and
`number of detection stages of the screen-up, -down, -left, and
`-right directions and a detection precision and number of
`detection stages of an incline can be set in various ways. For
`example, if the number of detection stages is increased,
`nearly continuous display-image changing when the main
`body is rotated is possible so map-up is continually up in
`terms of gravity. Moreover, if the number of stages is
`decreased to every 45° or 90° or the like, a display operation
`is performed of switching display directions upon rotating