Patent ID: 7630830
Filing Date: 2009-12-08
Classification: G01C

Abstract:
1. A navigation apparatus comprising: a position measurement unit configured to determine the current position of a vehicle; a map storage unit configured to store map data including position information indicating the location of an indoor parking area, the indoor parking area being enclosed by a roof; a driving direction image generator configured to produce an image indicating the direction in which the vehicle should be driven upon exiting the indoor parking area to place the vehicle along a route from the indoor parking area to a destination other than the indoor parking area; an image storage unit configured to store a scene image of the exit of the indoor parking area as viewed ahead from the vehicle when the vehicle is inside of the indoor parking area and as the vehicle is about to exit the indoor parking area; an image mixer configured to combine the image indicating the driving direction with the scene image to produce a composite image that comprises, while the vehicle is inside of the indoor parking area, the direction in which the vehicle should be driven upon exiting the indoor parking area superimposed on the scene image such that the direction in which to drive the vehicle after passing through the exit to place the vehicle on the route from the indoor parking area to the destination can be ascertained in advance of driving through the exit; a display screen configured to display the composite image; and a controller configured to determine whether global positioning system (GPS) radio waves cannot be received based on information sent from a GPS receiver, and when the controller determines that GPS radio waves cannot be received, the controller is further configured to determine whether (1) the current position of the vehicle corresponds to a location within the indoor parking area and (2) the destination has been selected, and direct that the display screen display the composite image when the controller determines that the current position corresponds to the location within the indoor parking area and the destination is selected.