Map Route Generation via Zoom Level Road Type Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mapping applications often limit users' ability to customize routes by only providing the shortest path, making it difficult for users to specify routes that deviate from optimal paths, such as traveling along specific coastlines or types of roads.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that allow users to draw a line on a map to specify a route, with the mapping application using zoom levels to determine the intended road type, such as highways or local roads, and replacing line segments with similar road sections from the map, ensuring the route reflects the user's intent.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If users manually add waypoints to customize routes, then route customization capability is improved, but user operation time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the route customization process into two distinct modes: a simplified mode where users draw a single line and the system automatically generates waypoints at road intersections, and a detailed mode where users can manually add waypoints. This segmentation allows users to choose the appropriate level of detail based on their needs, reducing time consumption for simple customization tasks while maintaining full control when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs automatic waypoint generation and route optimization without requiring manual user input for each waypoint. When users draw a line on the map, the system automatically identifies road intersections, generates appropriate waypoints, and calculates the optimal route, allowing the system to serve itself in the route planning process.
2Productivity
If mapping applications provide only the shortest route, then routing efficiency is improved, but user preference alignment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic route generation that adapts to user preferences expressed through line drawing. The system dynamically adjusts the route calculation based on the user-drawn line, generating waypoints at road intersections that best match the desired path while maintaining routing efficiency. This allows the system to transition from static shortest-path routing to dynamic preference-based routing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the routing parameters by incorporating user-drawn lines as constraints and preferences. Instead of solely optimizing for distance or time, the system uses the drawn line to determine which roads and intersections to prioritize, effectively changing the optimization parameters to balance efficiency with user preference alignment.
3Measurement precision
If users specify detailed passage points to define a route, then route precision is improved, but operation complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the route specification task into a single intuitive line-drawing action followed by automatic waypoint generation at road intersections. This segmentation reduces the complexity from specifying multiple individual points to drawing one continuous line, while maintaining precision by automatically snapping to relevant road intersections along the drawn path.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary processing step where the drawn line is converted into waypoints at road intersections. This intermediary process acts as a mediator between the user's simple line drawing and the precise route requirements, automatically identifying the appropriate intersection points that best represent the user's intended path.
Data Source
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AI summary
A user of a mapping application can use a user interface to draw a line between an origin address and a destination address on a map. The mapping application uses a zoom level associated with the map to determine if the user intended that the route consist mostly of highways or mostly of local roads. Segments of the line are replaced by similar road sections selected from the map based on the determined zoom level. The line replaced by the selected road sections is presented to the user as a route between the origin address and the destination address.