Context-Dependent Map Detail Adjustment for In-Vehicle Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In-vehicle navigation systems with complex three-dimensional map displays can overwhelm operators with excessive information, leading to increased cognitive load and potential delays or errors in navigation due to occluded features and irrelevant details.
Innovation Solution
An in-vehicle information system that adjusts the display of map features based on a priority threshold, reducing detail for lower-priority features by changing their size, opacity, or removing them to prioritize higher-priority navigation elements, using a processor with GPU capabilities to generate and modify 2D and 3D graphics dynamically in response to operator input.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If complex three-dimensional map displays with high detail are used, then the information completeness and realism of the map is improved, but the cognitive load on the operator increases and navigation efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different levels of detail to different regions of the map based on their priority. High-priority regions (such as the current location and upcoming turns) are displayed with high detail and three-dimensional features, while low-priority regions are displayed with reduced detail or simplified two-dimensional representations. This allows the map to provide comprehensive information while focusing the operator's attention on critical navigation elements, thereby reducing cognitive load without sacrificing information completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the map display into multiple priority levels or zones. The display is divided into high-priority areas (current location, immediate navigation cues) and low-priority areas (distant regions, less critical features). By segmenting the information hierarchy, the system can selectively render detailed three-dimensional graphics only where necessary, while using simplified representations elsewhere, thus balancing information completeness with cognitive load reduction.
2Loss of information
If high detail three-dimensional map features are displayed, then the visual information and realism are improved, but the display clutter and occlusion of critical features increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by varying the rendering detail of map features based on their spatial location and navigation relevance. Critical features such as roads, intersections, and upcoming turns are rendered with high-detail three-dimensional graphics, while non-critical features like distant buildings or irrelevant terrain are rendered with lower detail or omitted entirely. This selective rendering approach preserves essential visual information while eliminating display clutter that would otherwise occlude critical navigation features.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes low-priority visual elements from the display when they would contribute to clutter or occlusion. By identifying and eliminating unnecessary map features (such as distant or irrelevant three-dimensional objects), the system maintains visual information for critical elements while reducing overall display complexity and preventing occlusion of navigation-critical features.
3Adaptability or versatility
If comprehensive map information is displayed, then the navigation planning capability is improved, but the time to process and interpret the map increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing detailed map information selectively in regions where it is most useful for navigation planning. High-detail rendering is concentrated in the immediate vicinity of the vehicle and in areas containing critical navigation features, while distant or less relevant regions are displayed with reduced detail. This approach enables effective navigation planning with minimal information processing time, as the operator receives comprehensive details only where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-identifying and prioritizing navigation-critical regions before rendering the full map. The system anticipates which areas will be most relevant for upcoming navigation decisions and pre-processes or emphasizes those regions. This allows the operator to access comprehensive planning information efficiently, as the system has already organized and highlighted the most relevant data before presentation.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for displaying visual information in a navigation system includes displaying a map of a geographic region including a first plurality of map features where each map feature in the first plurality of map features having an associated priority level that is below a predetermined priority level is displayed with a reduced level of detail. The method further includes identifying a second threshold in response to receiving an input signal from an input device and generating a second display of the map, the second display of the map including a modified visual depiction for at least one map feature in the first plurality of map features.