Importance

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Abstract

A map display apparatus according to the present invention has a control circuit which divides a display screen of a display device into a plurality of regions, and processes a bird's-eye view data for each region and convert them into map image data. The control circuit then prepares vehicle information image data for displaying marks indicating current position and destination of the vehicle. In this step, mark data are prepared so that the mark is displayed at a display position corresponding to the destination when the destination is within a display range, and so that the mark is displayed at a display position that lies in the direction of the destination and is closest to the destination when the destination is not within the display range. Upon completion of preparation of the map image data and vehicle information image data, the control circuit displays these data on the display device, and then detects the current vehicle position again. If the vehicle does not run farther than a predetermined distance, only the display position of the vehicle position mark is changed. If the vehicle runs farther than the predetermined distance, the map image data are updated. In the meantime, grid line information used for bird's-eye view display and planimetric map display is stored in advance in a grid-line information memory. The control unit selects appropriate grid line information, depending upon a screen display mode selected by an operator, so as to display the road map with grid lines superposed thereon.

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First Claim