Data Patch Processing for Dynamic Map Rendering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing portable navigation devices face challenges in efficiently rendering topographical information for dynamic views without compromising image quality or increasing memory usage, especially when the field of view is rotated relative to the digital map data, leading to slow rendering speeds and loss of precision due to the need to reload non-adjacent data patches.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that process pixels by identifying and processing data patches within the field of view, locating borders, and repeating the process until all patches are processed, allowing for dynamic rendering with full data usage without reloading previously processed data, thus maintaining image quality and reducing memory overhead.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the field of view is rotated relative to the digital map data, then the device can provide dynamic viewing options, but the rendering speed decreases due to the need to reload non-adjacent data patches

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedynamic viewing optionsVSAvoidrendering speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The digital map data is divided into multiple data patches that can be independently managed. When the field of view rotates, only the specific patches that fall within the new view boundaries are identified and loaded, rather than reloading entire non-adjacent regions. This segmentation allows efficient handling of rotated views by minimizing data reload requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If all data patches are processed to maintain image quality, then the precision and detail are preserved, but the memory usage increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage qualityVSAvoidmemory usage
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the digital map are processed with different levels of detail based on their importance and visibility. Data patches within the current field of view are processed with full precision to maintain image quality, while patches outside the view or less critical regions use lower processing levels. This local quality approach preserves necessary detail while reducing overall memory consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Measurement precision

If the device processes height information for every pixel in real-time, then the topographical accuracy is maintained, but the computational load increases rendering time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetopographical accuracyVSAvoidrendering time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Height information and topographical data are pre-processed and stored in an optimized format during map data creation. Common calculations such as elevation contours, slope analysis, and height classifications are performed in advance and stored as derived products. During real-time rendering, the device retrieves these pre-computed values rather than calculating them from raw height data for each pixel, significantly reducing processing time while maintaining topographical accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2126847B1Data processing method&device
Publication Date: 2010.04.28 TOMTOM INT BV
  • EP2126847B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2126847B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2126847B1 patent drawingFigure 5~8

AI summary

This invention relates to a data processing method for pixels (7) of a field of view (5), wherein the field of view comprises a portion of a digital map (1) that is to be displayed and includes a plurality of pixels (7), the digital map (1) comprises a plurality of data patches (3) which each include at least one data point, and the field of view (5) includes a plurality of said data patches (3), the method being characterised by: i) identifying (504), for a said pixel (7), a data patch (3) in which said pixel (7) lies; ii) locating (506-512) a border (9) of said data patch (3) that lies within said field of view (5); iii) processing (522) all pixels (7) of said field of view (5) that lie within said border (9) to provide a processed data patch; iv) locating (504-512), for each of any unprocessed data patches (3) within the field of view (5) that are adjacent a border (9) of a processed data patch, a border (9) of the unprocessed data patch (3) that lies within said field of view (5); v) processing (522), for each unprocessed data patch (3), all unprocessed pixels (7) that lie within the border of said unprocessed data patch (3) to thereby provide a processed data patch; and (viii) repeating steps (iv) and (v) until all data patches (3) within said field of view have been processed (5). A data processing device and computer program are also disclosed.