Map display method

Abstract

A map display method whereby the contents of a road map displayed can be easily and clearly grasped regardless of the running conditions of a vehicle. In a summarized map displayed on a display screen 10, an area including a vehicle position 11, a destination 13 and a guide route 12 between them is displayed in simplified fashion. At a position far from the destination, as shown in FIG. 2A, a summarized map of a wide area is displayed and objects including a road 14 and a facility 15 are limited to a greater degree. With the approach of the vehicle position 11 to the destination 13, as shown in FIG. 2B, the contraction scale is decreased and a summarized map of a middle area is displayed, while at the same time increasing the objects displayed. With a further approach of the vehicle position 11 to the destination 13, as shown in FIG. 2C, a narrower area is displayed in summarization, while at the same time displaying substantially all the objects, thereby making it possible to grasp the neighborhood of the destination 13 in detail.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.