Real-Time Animated Traffic Flow Map Rendering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional traffic reporting systems provide limited detailed real-time traffic information, failing to effectively integrate weather data and offer user-controlled 3D flythrough views of traffic flow, which limits their ability to provide comprehensive and dynamic traffic updates.
Innovation Solution
The integration of weather data and real-time traffic information into graphical maps, allowing users to select objects of interest and view traffic data in 3D flythrough mode, with continuously updated animated maps that reflect current traffic conditions, and the ability to define congestion status along key routes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If conventional traffic reporting systems are used, then basic traffic information can be provided, but detailed real-time traffic information and weather data integration are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple data sources including traffic flow data, weather data, and map data into a single integrated system. The system merges these diverse data types to create comprehensive traffic reports that simultaneously display traffic conditions, weather conditions, and their interrelationships, resolving the contradiction between information detail and data integration capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system is designed to handle multiple types of data (traffic, weather, map) and provide multiple viewing modes (2D maps, 3D flythroughs, animated sequences) through a single platform. This multi-functional approach enables the system to provide detailed real-time traffic information while maintaining high adaptability to different data types and presentation formats
2Loss of information
If detailed real-time traffic information is provided, then traffic update comprehensiveness is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the traffic reporting system into distinct functional modules: data collection modules for different data types, processing modules for analyzing traffic and weather data separately, and presentation modules for displaying information in various formats. This segmentation allows comprehensive traffic updates while managing system complexity through modular architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from traditional 2D map displays to 3D flythrough views and animated sequences, adding spatial and temporal dimensions to traffic information presentation. This dimensional enhancement provides more comprehensive traffic updates while the automated rendering processes help manage the increased system complexity
3Ease of operation
If 3D flythrough mode with user control is implemented, then user interaction capability is improved, but processing time and computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-processes and pre-renders 3D flythrough sequences based on selected key routes and stores them for rapid playback. When users request 3D flythrough views, the system retrieves pre-computed sequences rather than rendering them in real-time, significantly reducing processing time while maintaining full user interaction capabilities for selecting routes and viewing options
4Speed
If animated traffic flow maps are continuously rendered in real time, then traffic information immediacy is improved, but computational load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system updates animated traffic flow maps at optimized intervals rather than continuously, rendering animations only when new traffic data arrives or at predetermined time intervals. This periodic rendering approach maintains traffic information immediacy by providing timely updates while significantly reducing computational load compared to continuous real-time rendering
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts animation rendering parameters such as update frequency, resolution, and detail level based on current traffic conditions, available computational resources, and user preferences. During periods of high computational load, the system reduces animation complexity or update frequency, while maintaining high immediacy when resources are abundant, thus balancing traffic information speed with computational energy consumption
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method, apparatus and article of manufacture is provided for displaying traffic flow data on a graphical map of a road system. The graphical map includes one or more segments and the traffic flow data represents traffic conditions on a road system. A status of each segment on the graphical map is determined, wherein the status corresponds to the traffic flow data associated with that segment. An animated traffic flow map of the road system is then created by combining the graphical map and the status of each segment. The animated traffic flow map is created by being continuously rendered in real time. The traffic flow data is updated in real-time, and the traffic flow map immediately reflects the updated traffic data.