Map Presentation Overlap Reduction via 3D Perspective Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Complex venue maps with multiple levels, such as university buildings and shopping malls, are difficult to navigate on mobile devices due to overlapping geometric structures, which are exacerbated by small screen sizes and the challenge of presenting three-dimensional data effectively.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for optimizing map presentation by adjusting viewing parameters, such as distance and tilt, to reduce overlap between building levels in a rendered image, using a virtual camera perspective to minimize confusion and enhance navigation, and incorporating shading to provide additional three-dimensional information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If multiple building levels are displayed simultaneously in a top-down view, then comprehensive spatial information is provided, but visual overlap increases and navigation becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespatial informationVSAvoidnavigation
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a two-dimensional top-down view to a three-dimensional perspective view, allowing multiple building levels to be displayed simultaneously without overlap. This dimensional change enables comprehensive spatial information to be visualized while maintaining navigation clarity, as each level can be seen in its proper spatial context with appropriate vertical separation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If a three-dimensional perspective view is used to reduce overlap, then visual clarity improves, but the complexity of viewing parameter adjustment increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisual clarityVSAvoidviewing parameter adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically determines optimal viewing parameters (viewing position, viewing direction, viewing angle) based on the building geometry and level configuration, eliminating the need for manual user adjustment. The device performs self-service by computing and applying the appropriate three-dimensional perspective parameters to achieve clear visualization of multiple levels without requiring user intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Area of stationary object

If the viewing distance is reduced to show more detail, then screen utilization improves, but overlap between levels increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescreen utilizationVSAvoidoverlap
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By switching from a top-down two-dimensional projection to a three-dimensional perspective view, the system utilizes the vertical dimension to separate building levels. This allows the viewing distance to be reduced for better screen utilization while maintaining level separation through vertical positioning, preventing overlap that would occur in a flattened two-dimensional view.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3080552B1Method and apparatus for optimized presentation of complex maps
Publication Date: 2019.03.06 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3080552B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3080552B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP3080552B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

Methods and devices are described for optimizing display of information such as map data on a mobile device. Certain embodiments may include receiving, at a mobile device, a first and second set of placement data associated with a first and second object. The mobile device may then determine overlap between a representation of the first object and the second object in a rendering of an image comprising the representation of the first object and the second object, using a set of viewing parameters, the first set of placement data and the second set of placement data. The set of viewing parameters may be adjusted to reduce overlap between the representation of the first object and the second object in the rendering of the image. In additional embodiments, 3D enhancements to two-dimensional map objects may be added to enhance the presentation of the information.