Navigation Map Alpha Blending for Photomap Numerical Data Overlap
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Solution Overview
Problem
Navigation systems face challenges in displaying up-to-date maps due to the lag between aerial or satellite photograph updates and real-time road changes, leading to incomplete information about newly opened or closed roads when using photomaps alone.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that combine numerical maps with photomaps, allowing for controlled transparency at their boundaries through Alpha Blending, ensuring a seamless overlay and minimizing the difference between data sets, thereby enhancing the map's quality and accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If only photomaps are used to display map data, then the real space representation and visual accuracy are improved, but the timeliness of road information updates deteriorates due to the lag between photograph capture and updates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines photomaps and numerical maps into a hybrid map system. The photomap module provides visual accuracy and real space representation, while the numerical map module provides timely road network information. By merging these two modules, the system achieves both visual accuracy and timeliness of road information updates.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different map types to different areas based on their characteristics. Photomaps are used for areas where visual information is critical, while numerical maps are used for areas requiring accurate road network data. This local differentiation allows each map type to optimize its strengths in specific regions.
2Measurement precision
If photomaps are used to capture real road state, then the representation of surrounding situation is improved, but the update frequency deteriorates due to the time lag in photograph capture and processing
Solution Approach 1:
The hybrid map system merges the high representation accuracy of photomaps with the high update frequency of numerical maps. The numerical map module continuously updates road network information, while the photomap module provides accurate visual representation, achieving both goals simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses an intermediary processing mechanism that captures road state information from both photomaps and numerical maps, processes and integrates this information, and presents a unified view to the user. This intermediary layer resolves the contradiction by synthesizing the strengths of both map types.
3Reliability
If numerical maps are used to display road network, then the timeliness of information is improved, but the visual realism and spatial representation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges numerical maps with photomaps to create a hybrid representation. The numerical map provides timely road network information, while the photomap adds visual realism and spatial representation. The combination allows the system to maintain both timeliness and visual quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a composite map representation by combining different types of map data (numerical and photomap) into a unified structure. This composite approach allows the system to leverage the temporal advantages of numerical maps and the visual advantages of photomaps simultaneously.
4Device complexity
If the boundary between numerical map and photomap is sharply defined, then the data separation is simplified, but the visual continuity and user experience deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses transparency and blending techniques at the boundaries between numerical and photomap regions. By controlling the transparency level and creating smooth transitions rather than sharp boundaries, the system maintains visual continuity and improves user experience while keeping the data separation relatively simple.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the display of a newly updated map by integrating numerical and photomap data, providing a more accurate and natural guide image by smoothly overlapping the two map types, thus addressing the issue of outdated photomap information.
Implementation Method 1
performing an Alpha Blending process with respect to the overlap area
Data Source
AI summary
A method for displaying a map performed by a navigation system, the method comprising: defining a matching area of a numerical map to which a photomap is matched; extracting the photomap corresponding to the matching area from a map data storage; matching a reference point of the photomap and a reference point of the numerical map; matching a scale of the photomap in line with a scale of the numerical map; and performing a boundary treatment at an overlap area of the numerical map and the photomap that are matched.