Patent ID: 7743337

Claim:
An electronic map apparatus comprising: media storing map data to be displayed as a map; a display device for displaying the map including areas having different colors representing different geographical areas in a perspective view in accordance with the map data; and a microcomputer for processing display data of an arc which is an equidistant curve from a center at a specified point on the map and links points on the perspective view at a constant distance corresponding to actual road distances from the center equal to those on the map, wherein the microcomputer: selectively displays the perspective view on the display device, wherein in the perspective view, the arc of the equidistant curve is displayed as a border between two adjacent colors on the basis of the arc's display data being superimposed on the map, the arc being made more visible by highlighting the arc or by shadowing the arc; processes data of a plurality of arcs representing different geographical distances from the center, wherein the arcs are each superposed on the map displayed in the perspective view as ellipses in response to receipt of a predetermined input requesting display of the arcs; outputs, in the perspective view, numbers each indicating a geographical distance from the center to one of the plurality of arcs and displays each of the numbers at a location in close proximity to the circumference of the plurality of arcs with a geographical distance thereof indicated by the number; displays a cursor indicating a scroll center in close proximity to a common center of the map, the scroll center providing a reference point for an object of operation during scrolling of the map in a vehicle; changes contraction of the map displayed on the display device in the perspective view; and outputs a first character or a first symbol representing a first direction of the map in close proximity to or on one of the arcs.