Map Rendering Style Parameter Interpolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing map rendering systems face challenges in efficiently modifying style parameters, such as colors and line widths, across different zoom levels, leading to abrupt visual changes and high bandwidth and processing costs due to the need for frequent data retrieval and processing.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method that interpolates style parameters across zoom levels using linear or polynomial interpolation, allowing for the retrieval of a subset of style parameters based on current bandwidth, processor capacity, and resolution settings, and using style lookup tables to determine appropriate style attributes for rendering.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If style parameters are stored for every zoom level, then rendering precision is improved, but bandwidth consumption and processing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverendering precisionVSAvoidbandwidth consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-stores style parameters only at discrete zoom levels (first zoom level and second zoom level) before rendering is needed. During actual rendering at intermediate zoom levels, the system performs interpolation calculations to generate appropriate style parameters, eliminating the need to pre-store and transmit parameters for every possible zoom level.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The rendering system performs self-service by automatically interpolating style parameters when operating at intermediate zoom levels. The system uses the stored parameters from discrete zoom levels to calculate intermediate values through interpolation algorithms, making the system self-sufficient and reducing external data retrieval requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Loss of energy

If style parameters are interpolated across zoom levels, then bandwidth consumption is reduced, but rendering complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebandwidth consumptionVSAvoidrendering complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces the mechanical approach of storing and transmitting complete style parameter datasets for all zoom levels with a computational approach using interpolation algorithms. Instead of physically moving large amounts of data through the network, the system substitutes data transmission with local mathematical calculations that generate style parameters on-demand.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Speed

If discrete zoom level parameters are used, then processing speed is improved, but visual smoothness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing speedVSAvoidvisual smoothness

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from static, discrete zoom level parameters to dynamic, continuously interpolated parameters. When the user zooms between predefined levels, the style parameters dynamically adjust through interpolation, creating smooth visual transitions while maintaining the performance benefits of discrete parameter storage at base levels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS8803901B1Map rendering using interpolation of style parameters across zoom levels

Publication Date: 2014.08.12 GOOGLE LLC

AI summary

A graphics or image rendering system, such as a map image rendering system, may receive map data associated with a set of zoom levels, where the map data includes style attribute data corresponding to various features of a map surface at corresponding zoom levels. The system may interpolate at least some of the style parameter values from the received map data to provide style parameter values over a range of zoom levels.