Patent ID: 8717411

Claim:
A virtual image generation apparatus comprising: an image recording unit configured to record a plurality of images, each containing photography position data and photography date-time data; a first image selection unit configured to select at least two images of different photography positions, from the images recorded; a map-image acquiring unit configured to acquire an image corresponding to a map image containing the photography position data contained in the image selected; a travel route search unit configured to identify, from a speed calculated from the photography position data and the photography date-time data added to the map-image and the at least two images selected, a travel route between photography positions of the at least two images; a second image selection unit configured to select, from the images recorded, an image related to the travel route identified as an image for generating a virtual image; a virtual scene image generation unit configured to generate, from the images selected, a virtual image showing a scene that could be seen along traveling within the travel route specified based on an image corresponding to the map-image; and an output unit configured to output the virtual image data, thereby to display the scene represented by the virtual image generated.