Tatsuo Yokota

6385538, May 7, 2002

May 31, 2000

09/583437

Tatsuo Yokota - Torrance CA

Alpine Electronics, Inc. - Tokyo

G01C 2100

701211, 340995

The navigation system initializes a route guide by a map guide mode or a route guide by an arrow guide mode, and appropriately switches the guide mode to execute route guidance for a vehicle, wherein, when a predetermined condition occurs while guiding the vehicle by a guide mode different from an initialized guide mode, the system automatically switches the guide mode into the initialized guide mode.

6405129, Jun 11, 2002

Nov 29, 2000

09/725784

Tatsuo Yokota - Torrance CA

Alpine Electronics, Inc. - Tokyo

G06F 300

701208, 701211, 701212, 340995, 345634

In a navigation apparatus for displaying POI (Point of Interest) icons at places on a map where points of interest are located, a map image depicting section (1) generates a map image using a single unit of map information and writes the generated map image into a video RAM, (2) then generates POI icon images and overlays the generated POI icon images on the map image for each map segment in a preset order when a total number of POI icons included in the segment is smaller than a preset number, such segments being obtained by dividing the unit of map information into n segments (where n is an integer equal to or greater than 2), or generates POI icon images and overlays the generated POI icon images on the map image for the segment in order of icon type having a larger number of POI icons when the total number of POI icons included in the segment is larger than the preset number. A map reading control section extracts an image from the video RAM which is as large as a single screen and which corresponds to a vehicle position and displays the POI icons together with the map on a display screen.

6415224, Jul 2, 2002

Feb 6, 2001

09/777990

Hikaru Wako - Redondo Beach CA
Tatsuo Yokota - Torrance CA

Alpine Electronics, Inc. - Tokyo

G01C 2100

701208, 701200207-, 701209216-, 7012326-, 701 36, 34235713, 34235709, 34235717, 342458, 340988, 340990, 340995, 340903, 345970, 345 13, 345856, 345555, 345205, 345206, 455556, 455557, 348169, 348142, 348213

A display method and apparatus for navigation system for displaying information necessary for guiding a driver of a vehicle. The navigation system is designed to promote safe driving by producing different display forms and contents depending on whether the vehicle is in motion or stationary. When the vehicle is stationary, the navigation system can perform all of the functions. However, when the vehicle is in motion, the navigation system provides simplified and limited functions to ease the operations. The number of key strokes required for operating the navigation system is reduced when the vehicle is in motion.

6587787, Jul 1, 2003

Mar 15, 2000

09/526023

Tatsuo Yokota - Torrance CA

Alpine Electronics, Inc. - Tokyo

G06F 1700

701212, 701208, 340995

A vehicle navigation apparatus displays a map on a display screen by using detailed map information. The apparatus displays map information at a plurality of scale, or zoom, levels. The apparatus selectively displays or does not display any given road based on both display scale and the importance, or priority, of the road. The apparatus displays names of municipalities, counties, states, and the like, depending on display scale. The apparatus displays adjacent municipalities, counties, states, and the like in different colors, depending on display scale. The apparatus displays municipalities using generic icons, icons of varying sizes, and icons of varying shapes, depending on municipality size, regional geography, and display scale. The apparatus may display point-of-interest icons in rural areas, depending on regional geography and display scale, and may shift their display locations to accommodate displaying more important information. The apparatus displays roads of relatively lower priority in rural areas, depending on regional geography and display scale, and may display them in a different visual style to distinguish them.

6640185, Oct 28, 2003

Jul 21, 2001

09/909768

Tatsuo Yokota - Torrance CA
Micchael Clark - North Hollywood CA

Alpine Electronics, Inc. - Tokyo

G01C 2130

701208, 701212, 340995, 345684

A display method and apparatus for navigation system for displaying information for guiding a driver of a vehicle. The navigation system designed to achieve an easy and efficient operation by a user for displaying information or changing displayed images with use of a substantially simplified set of control keys. In he navigation system, an enter (selection) key functions not only to set and select a menu but also to switch between a p screen and a map zoom screen. Cursor (scroll) keys function not only to scroll a map image in the map screen but also to adjust a zoom scale of the map image in the ma zoom screen.

6687613, Feb 3, 2004

May 31, 2001

09/871396

Tatsuo Yokota - Torrance CA

Alpine Electronics, Inc. - Tokyo

G06F16500

701209

A display method and apparatus for navigation system for displaying information necessary for guiding a driver of a vehicle. The navigation system is designed to enable a user (such as driver or passenger) quickly find and select the destination in a new area based on the names or places used in his/her home area. The navigation system includes a search method for searching a point of interest based on a list of preferred names specially created or based on a list of registered points used in his/her home area.

6771189, Aug 3, 2004

Jul 17, 2002

10/196840

Tatsuo Yokota - Torrance CA

Alpine Electronics, Inc. - Tokyo

G08G 1123

340990, 3409951, 3409952, 34099527, 701208, 701211

A display method and apparatus for navigation system for displaying a guidance map showing appropriate number of upcoming and subsequent turns on the route to the destination with an appropriate and enlarged display size. The guidance map includes a highlighted route indicating the directions of turns. The navigation system applies various test conditions to the geometry of the streets to determine the number of turns to be displayed. Then, the navigation system enlarges the guidance map so that the map covers the area that can show the adjusted number of turns and the streets at the maximum size.

6810328, Oct 26, 2004

Nov 23, 2002

10/302301

Tatsuo Yokota - Torrance CA
Michael Sabin - Redondo Beach CA

Alpine Electronics, Inc - Tokyo

G01C 2134

701210, 701209, 34099513, 34099521

A navigation method and system for guiding a user to a destination while providing area-specific information useful for guiding and warning the user such as local traffic laws, driving conditions, traffic customs, weather conditions, etc. that is specifically tailored for each user. The area-specific information is customized for a user in order to give the area-specific information to the user that is most relevant to that particular user. The navigation system informs the user of the area-specific information that is different from that of the users home area or the information specific to the calculated route to the destination or unique to the current location of the user. Further, the navigation system customizes the calculated route such that driving conditions and situations that are unfamiliar to the user will be minimized.