Navigation apparatus and method, and navigation program

A navigation program to be executed by a computer in a navigation apparatus for performing a route guidance by use of sound based on a route which is set, the program causing the computer to perform:

• a map information acquisition step for acquiring pieces of map information;
• a present position detection step for detecting a present position;
• a route search step for performing a search for a route from a starting point to a destination, while employing the pieces of map information acquired by the map information acquisition step, to set the route;
• a route outline generation step for generating outline data of the route by appropriately selecting a piece of map information as to the route set by the route search step;
• and
• a sound processing control step for performing a guidance of the route by use of sound based on the present position in the route set by the route search step, wherein,
• based on the outline data of the route generated by the route outline generation step, the sound processing control step presents information of an outline of the route by use of sound, before performing the guidance of the route based on the present position, and
• the route outline generation step assigns priority rankings to respective information types and appropriately selects a piece of information based on the priority rankings to generate the outline data of the route.

A navigation method for performing a route guidance by use of sound based on a route which is set, the method comprising:

• a map information acquisition step for acquiring pieces of map information;
• a present position detection step for detecting a present position;
• a route search step for performing a search for a route from a starting point to a destination, while employing the pieces of map information acquired by the map information acquisition step, to set the route;
• a route outline generation step for generating outline data of the route by appropriately selecting a piece of map information as to the route set by the route search step;
• and
• a sound processing control step for performing a guidance of the route by use of sound based on the present position in the route set by the route search step, wherein
• based on the outline data of the route generated by the route outline generation step, the sound processing control step presents information of an outline of the route by use of sound, before performing the guidance of the route based on the present position, and
• the route outline generation step assigns priority rankings to respective information types and appropriately selects a piece of information based on the priority rankings to generate the outline data of the route.