Map Data Server Indoor Outdoor Transition Metadata
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current digital mapping applications cannot seamlessly transition between outdoor and indoor map data, leading to delayed display of indoor information and lack of interactive controls for multi-floor buildings until indoor data is fully loaded.
Innovation Solution
A map data server provides metadata with indoor map data as part of the base map, including vector data for building footprints and metadata about the number of floors, allowing the client device to display a widget for selecting floors and reposition the viewport smoothly during transitions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If indoor map data is provided as a separate layer requiring separate requests, then data organization is simplified, but display transition speed and user interaction responsiveness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges indoor map data with outdoor base map data into a single integrated data structure. The indoor map data is embedded within the same response as the base map, allowing the mapping application to receive both datasets simultaneously without requiring separate requests or waiting for additional data loads, thus resolving the contradiction between simplified organization and fast transition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing indoor map data metadata and bounding box information along with the base map data before the user actually needs to view indoor content. This allows the mapping application to prepare indoor map displays and controls in advance, enabling immediate transition when the user zooms into a building footprint.
2Ease of manufacture
If indoor map data is loaded separately after zooming into building footprint, then data loading is simpler, but user interaction capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The server performs preliminary actions by including indoor map data metadata, bounding box definitions, and floor information in the initial base map response. This allows the mapping application to immediately display floor selection controls and indoor map previews without waiting for additional data loads, maintaining ease of operation while keeping data loading simple through a single integrated response.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer of metadata and bounding box information that bridges the gap between simple data loading and rich user interaction. This intermediary data structure enables the mapping application to prepare and display indoor map controls immediately, facilitating seamless user interaction without complex separate loading processes.
3Device complexity
If widget for floor selection is displayed only after indoor data loading, then data structure remains simple, but interface responsiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The server performs preliminary actions by embedding floor selection metadata, bounding box information, and indoor map data identifiers in the initial base map response. This allows the mapping application to immediately render the floor selection widget and indoor map controls without waiting for additional data loads, eliminating delays while maintaining a simple integrated data structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the indoor map data response into distinct components (metadata, bounding box information, floor data, map features) that can be independently processed and displayed. This segmentation allows the mapping application to immediately display the floor selection widget using the metadata while simultaneously preparing to load detailed indoor map features, improving interface responsiveness without complicating the overall data structure.
4Device complexity
If viewport repositioning waits for indoor data loading, then data synchronization is simpler, but transition smoothness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The server provides preliminary viewport repositioning information through bounding box definitions included in the base map response. This allows the mapping application to immediately calculate and execute smooth viewport transitions to indoor map views without waiting for detailed indoor data to load, maintaining simple data synchronization while achieving stable, smooth transitions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by enabling the viewport to dynamically reposition based on bounding box information received with the base map data. The mapping application can smoothly animate the viewport transition to the indoor map view immediately, creating a fluid user experience while keeping data synchronization simple through pre-provided positioning coordinates.
Data Source
AI summary
A map data server may provide metadata about available indoor map data that accompanies map data for drawing a base map. For example, map data may include vector data for drawing a footprint of a building, and the metadata may include information about the physical properties of the building (e.g., an indication of how many floors the building has and if detailed map data is available for the indicated floors, etc.). A mapping application running on the client can use this metadata to display an interface that allows a user to select floors or otherwise interact with the floor data. Further, the metadata accompanying map data can include a bounding box, or a bounding polygon, for one or more floors. The mapping application can use these bounding shapes to properly reposition the viewport as map data for a new floor is being loaded, for example.