Map Display Device Road Name Hierarchy Overlap Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional map display devices face challenges in maintaining legibility and information density of road names, particularly in city areas, where overlapping names reduce visibility and decreasing character size compromises readability.
Innovation Solution
A map display method and device that utilize multiple hierarchy levels of map data to selectively draw road names at different character sizes, avoiding overlaps by prioritizing display based on hierarchy and using transparent characters if necessary, to enhance information density without sacrificing legibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If all road names are drawn on the map image, then information density is improved, but legibility deteriorates due to overlapping characters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments road names into multiple hierarchy levels (first hierarchy and second hierarchy) with different character sizes. The first hierarchy road names are drawn at a larger character size, while the second hierarchy road names are drawn at a smaller character size. This segmentation allows both information density and legibility to be maintained by displaying important road names at larger sizes while including additional road names at smaller sizes without creating overlaps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different character sizes to different types of road names based on their importance and spatial distribution. By making the character size dependent on the hierarchy level and spatial location, the system optimizes both information density and legibility in different areas of the map image.
2Reliability
If character size is decreased to reduce overlapping, then legibility is maintained, but information density deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments road names into multiple hierarchy levels with different character sizes. The first hierarchy road names are drawn at a larger character size, while the second hierarchy road names are drawn at a smaller character size. This segmentation allows both information density and legibility to be maintained by displaying important road names at larger sizes while including additional road names at smaller sizes without creating overlaps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new dimension of hierarchy levels to the traditional single-layer road name display. By introducing multiple hierarchy levels with different character sizes, the system can display more road names (increasing information density) while maintaining legibility through the hierarchical structure that prevents overlaps.
3Reliability
If road names are drawn at larger character size for legibility, then readability is improved, but map image clutter increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments road names into multiple hierarchy levels (first hierarchy and second hierarchy) with different character sizes. The first hierarchy road names are drawn at a larger character size, while the second hierarchy road names are drawn at a smaller character size. This segmentation allows both information density and legibility to be maintained by displaying important road names at larger sizes while including additional road names at smaller sizes without creating overlaps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different character sizes to different types of road names based on their importance and spatial distribution. By making the character size dependent on the hierarchy level and spatial location, the system optimizes both information density and legibility in different areas of the map image.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a map display device and map display method that enhance the information density of displayed road names while maintaining legibility of a map image. First, the map drawing unit draws, to an image storage unit, a map image of roads and so forth in a desired scale, by using the background layer of a first hierarchy corresponding to the desired scale. Second, the map drawing unit draws place names and facility names by using the character layer of the first hierarchy to superimpose them on the map image. Third, the map drawing unit extracts the road names that do not overlap with the map characters of the place names and facility names on the map image by using the character layer of the first hierarchy, and superimposes them on the map image at the normal character size. Fourth, the map drawing unit extracts, by using the character layer of a second hierarchy corresponding to a scale level smaller by one step than the desired scale level, road names that do not overlap with the map characters of the other road names, place names, facility names and so forth on the map image, and superimposes them on the map image at a smaller character size. Finally, the map drawing unit superimposes the vehicle position mark on the map image.