Map Display Apparatus Switching Traffic Signal Icons by Scale
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional navigation devices face difficulties in accurately displaying traffic signals at intersections, leading to overlapping icons and complex road conditions, especially when using road network information, which can confuse users and obscure map visibility.
Innovation Solution
A map display apparatus and method that switches the display mode of traffic signal icons based on the display scale, displaying a single icon at the integrated traffic signal position in broad mode and at individual node positions in detailed mode, using integrated traffic signal information and attribute information to improve visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If traffic signal icons are displayed at each node position in road network information, then traffic signal information is provided, but multiple icons overlap and display becomes complex at intersections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple traffic signal icons that would otherwise overlap at intersection nodes into a single integrated icon. The controller detects when multiple icons occupy the same or overlapping display positions and combines them into one icon that represents all traffic signals at that location, thereby eliminating visual clutter while preserving complete traffic signal information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic display behavior where traffic signal icons automatically adjust their display mode based on their positional relationships. When icons are detected to be overlapping or adjacent at intersection nodes, they dynamically transition from individual display to integrated display, creating an adaptive system that responds to spatial conditions.
2Loss of information
If detailed city map data is used for map displaying, then detailed information is provided, but display scale exceeds allowable range in broad display mode
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using different data representations in different spatial contexts. Detailed city map data is used in areas where high detail is needed and appropriate, while road network information is used in broader areas where overall structure is more important. This allows the system to maintain appropriate detail levels across varying display scales.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between detailed city map data and road network information based on the current display scale and requested region. The controller automatically selects the appropriate data type to ensure optimal display quality across different zoom levels, making the system adaptable to various viewing conditions.
3Measurement precision
If multiple links are used to digitize wide roads for accurate map matching, then map matching accuracy is improved, but intersection complexity increases with multiple nodes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple traffic signal icons that arise from the multiple nodes created by digitizing wide roads into a single integrated icon at the intersection. This approach maintains the structural accuracy of multiple links for map matching while presenting a simplified visual representation that avoids the complexity of multiple individual icons.
Data Source
AI summary
A map display apparatus includes: road network information in which integrated traffic signal information is provided in an intersection configured of a plurality of nodes having attribute information of traffic signal available; a display unit which performs map displaying using map image data generated based on the road network information; and a signal displaying controller which performs switching whether a traffic signal icon is displayed at the node of the map image data or the traffic signal icon is displayed at a position to display the integrated traffic signal information according to a display scale of the map displaying.