Geographic Data API for Realistic Entertainment Scene Rendering

Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge in creating realistic computer-generated scenes for motion pictures and television shows lies in the expense and time-consuming process of collecting and processing large amounts of geographic data, which offsets the benefits of using computer graphics to depict physical places.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that utilize a source database containing geographic data, including road networks, with an application programming interface (API) and tools for accessing and processing this data to facilitate the development of scenes, allowing for data filtering, 3D conversion, and integration with road and 3D models to create realistic representations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If large amounts of geographic data are collected and processed to make scenes look realistic, then the visual accuracy and realism of the scene is improved, but the cost and time required for data collection and processing increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisual accuracyVSAvoidtime for data collection and processing

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the necessary geographic data attributes required for rendering realistic scenes, rather than collecting all available data. The system selectively retrieves data such as road networks, points of interest, and geographic features while filtering out redundant information, thereby reducing data collection time and processing costs while maintaining visual accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary processing of geographic data by pre-organizing and pre-processing data structures before they are needed for scene generation. The system pre-processes road networks, extracts key geographic features, and prepares data in optimized formats, which significantly reduces the time required during actual scene creation while maintaining high visual accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If large amounts of geographic data are collected and processed to make scenes look realistic, then the visual accuracy and realism of the scene is improved, but the cost for data collection and processing increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisual accuracyVSAvoidcost for data collection and processing

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the necessary geographic data attributes required for rendering realistic scenes, rather than collecting all available data. The system selectively retrieves data such as road networks, points of interest, and geographic features while filtering out redundant information, thereby reducing data collection time and processing costs while maintaining visual accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameters of data collection and processing by optimizing data formats, resolution levels, and processing algorithms. The system adjusts data parameters dynamically based on the specific rendering requirements, using higher detail levels only where necessary and lower detail levels where acceptable, thereby reducing overall processing costs while maintaining visual accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If existing geographic data is used for navigation functions, then navigation services are provided, but the data is not optimized for creating realistic visual scenes for entertainment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata usage for multiple purposesVSAvoidvisual accuracy for entertainment scenes

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal geographic data system that serves multiple functions simultaneously. The same road network and geographic feature data used for navigation services are also processed and optimized for creating realistic visual scenes in entertainment. The system maintains compatibility with existing navigation applications while adding enhanced visual processing capabilities for entertainment purposes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary processing of geographic data by pre-organizing and pre-processing data structures before they are needed for scene generation. The system pre-processes road networks, extracts key geographic features, and prepares data in optimized formats, which significantly reduces the time required during actual scene creation while maintaining high visual accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS7921136B1Method and system for using geographic data for developing scenes for entertainment features

Publication Date: 2011.04.05 HERE GLOBAL BV

AI summary

A system and method are disclosed for facilitating development of scenes for entertainment features, such as motion pictures or television shows, that depict or represent actual, real world (or imaginary) geographic areas. A source database contains data that represent geographic features in a region including roads in the region. The data in the source database includes attributes suitable for use for providing navigation-related functions. In addition to providing data from the source database for navigation-related functions, data from the source database are also provided for facilitating development of scenes for entertainment features that depict or represent actual, real world (or imaginary) geographic areas. An application programming interface, as well as other tools for handling geographic data, is provided for accessing and processing of the geographic data.