Map Generating Apparatus Roundabout Pattern Recognition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing map generating apparatuses fail to effectively improve visibility of roundabouts on road maps, often confusing them with peripheral roads, and struggle to display roundabouts and peripheral maps simultaneously without deforming the road shape.

Innovation Solution

A map generating apparatus that extracts and replaces patterned ground objects like roundabouts with predefined patterns, allowing for easy recognition and display on a single screen without contradicting the peripheral map, using techniques such as pattern judgment and insertion methods to optimize road shape representation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the road shape is deformed to improve visibility of peripheral map, then the peripheral map visibility is improved, but the visibility of roundabout features is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveperipheral map display areaVSAvoidroundabout feature information
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a simplified copy or symbol representation of the roundabout feature that captures its essential characteristics without requiring the actual complex road geometry. This symbolic copy is then displayed in place of the detailed roundabout shape, allowing both the roundabout identification and peripheral map to be visible simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the key identifying features of the roundabout (such as its circular pattern and connection points) from the complete road network data. By separating these essential characteristics from the full geometric detail, the system can display a simplified representation that maintains feature recognition while freeing up display space for the peripheral map.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Loss of information

If the actual roundabout shape is displayed, then the roundabout pattern is visible, but the peripheral map cannot be displayed wider

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveroundabout pattern recognitionVSAvoidperipheral map display area
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different levels of detail to different parts of the map display. The roundabout feature is represented with a simplified local pattern that captures its essence, while the surrounding peripheral area is displayed with greater detail and wider coverage. This local differentiation allows optimal use of display space for both feature recognition and contextual information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If the road is shaped into a straight line for summary display, then visibility is improved, but roundabout points cannot be distinguished

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemap readabilityVSAvoidroundabout identification
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses distinctive visual patterns, colors, or symbols to mark roundabout features that differ from the simplified straight-line road representation. This visual differentiation allows the road network to be displayed in a simplified, readable format while still enabling easy identification of roundabout locations through their unique visual characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Data Source

PatentEP1748281B1Map generating apparatus
Publication Date: 2011.05.11 XANAVI INFORMATICS
  • EP1748281B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1748281B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1748281B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

According to the present invention, when displaying a map for navigation, there is a case that a road shape becomes complicated because of shortage of road data resolution and information on a patterned ground object may not be understood correctly. A patterned ground object, or a patterned feature is extracted from stored map data and a pattern stored in advance is inserted into the map data to replace the patterned ground object. Moreover, the map into which the pattern has been inserted is displayed on a single screen (115).