Dynamic Elevation Shading for Digital Map Displays
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for rendering elevation information on digital maps, such as isolines and static shading, fail to adapt effectively to different viewing scales, leading to inaccuracies and cluttered displays, especially on small devices.
Innovation Solution
A method that dynamically adjusts pixel shading based on both elevation information and display scale, using a combination of absolute elevation and slope-based shading functions weighted by a coefficient that varies with the display scale, ensuring accurate and intuitive representation of elevation at all zoom levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If static shading is used in digital map rendering, then elevation information is represented intuitively without cluttering the display, but the shading pattern cannot adapt to different display scales, leading to inaccuracies when zooming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the shading pattern adaptive and responsive to display scale changes. Instead of using a fixed static shading pattern, the system dynamically adjusts the shading characteristics based on the current zoom level, allowing the elevation representation to remain accurate and intuitive across all display scales.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by modifying shading parameters (such as intensity, pattern density, or resolution) based on the display scale. When the display scale changes, the system adjusts these parameters to maintain optimal elevation representation, preventing both clutter at small scales and loss of detail at large scales.
2Measurement precision
If isolines are used to represent elevation, then accurate elevation information is provided, but the map display becomes cluttered and less intuitive, especially on small devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses color changes (shading) as an alternative to isolines for representing elevation. By varying the color intensity or hue based on elevation data, the system conveys accurate elevation information in a visually intuitive manner that does not clutter the display, maintaining both precision and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adjusts the shading parameters dynamically based on display scale to maintain accuracy without clutter. At different zoom levels, the system modifies parameters such as shading resolution and intensity to provide accurate elevation representation that remains clear and uncluttered across all scales.
3Device complexity
If a fixed shading pattern is used in the digital map, then the rendering process is simple, but severe inaccuracies occur in elevation representation when the display scale is varied
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the shading pattern adaptive to display scale changes. The rendering process dynamically adjusts shading characteristics based on the current zoom level, maintaining elevation accuracy across all scales while adding only minimal complexity to the rendering pipeline through scale-dependent parameter adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by modifying shading parameters based on display scale information. The system adjusts parameters such as shading resolution, intensity, or pattern density according to the current zoom level, ensuring accurate elevation representation at all scales while maintaining a relatively simple rendering process through systematic parameter adjustment.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus are described for rendering a display image generated from digital map information. The method includes the steps of:determining elevation information (20a) from the digital map information;determining display scale information (28) for the display image; anddetermining (22) a shading value to apply to a pixel in the display image, andapplying the shading value to the respective pixel in the display image, to generate a display (24) that represents elevation information by pixel shading.The shading value varies as a function of the elevation information and the display scale information, whereby the display is generated to represent elevation information by pixel shading that varies with display scale.