3D Map Tile Selection Using Height Estimates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for displaying 3D maps on devices with limited memory and bandwidth are inefficient, as they often retrieve excessive map tiles, wasting storage and bandwidth, especially when dealing with raised-relief maps where determining viewable tiles is challenging.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device uses estimated height information for regions of a map to identify and retrieve only the necessary tiles within the field of view of a virtual camera, reducing data transfer and requests by calculating the intersection of the field of view with estimated heights to determine the required map tiles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all map tiles within a large perimeter around the virtual camera are retrieved, then the completeness of map data is improved, but the amount of data transferred and stored increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the map into tiles and further segments the retrieval process by first retrieving only height estimate data for regions, then using this information to calculate the precise field of view intersection to determine which tiles are actually needed. This segmentation allows selective retrieval of only necessary tiles rather than all tiles within a perimeter.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary action by first retrieving height estimate data for regions before determining which map tiles are needed. This preliminary retrieval of height information enables subsequent calculation of the field of view intersection, which then guides the selective retrieval of only necessary map tiles, avoiding unnecessary data transfer.
2Measurement precision
If height estimate data is retrieved for regions to determine viewable tiles, then the precision of tile selection is improved, but the initial data retrieval requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential height estimate data from the complete map information. Instead of retrieving full map tiles initially, it extracts just the height estimate data for regions, which is sufficient to calculate the field of view intersection and determine necessary tiles. This extraction minimizes initial data retrieval while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses height estimate data as an intermediary to bridge the gap between the virtual camera position and the actual map tiles. This intermediary information enables calculation of the field of view intersection, which then serves as the basis for selecting necessary tiles, avoiding the need to retrieve all tiles directly.
3Productivity
If the field of view intersection with estimated heights is calculated to identify necessary tiles, then the efficiency of data retrieval is improved, but the computational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from 2D map coordinates to 3D spatial reasoning by calculating the intersection of the field of view (a 3D cone-shaped volume) with the estimated height surfaces. This dimensional change enables precise determination of which tiles intersect with the field of view, improving retrieval efficiency through spatial awareness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic tile selection process where the set of necessary tiles is recalculated based on the current virtual camera position and the estimated height data. This dynamic calculation adapts to different viewing conditions, optimizing data retrieval efficiency for each specific scenario rather than using a static retrieval approach.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are provided for efficiently identifying map tiles of a raised-relief map to retrieve from a server. An electronic device can use estimates of height(s) for various region(s) of the map to determine map tiles that are likely viewable from a given position of a virtual camera. The device can calculate the intersection of the field of view of the virtual camera with the estimated heights to determine a location of the map tiles (e.g., as determined by a 2D grid) needed. In this manner, the electronic device can retrieve, from a map server, the map tiles needed to display the image, without retrieving extraneous tiles that are not needed. Identifying such tiles can reduce the amount of data to be sent across a network and reduce the number of requests for tiles, since the correct tiles can be obtained with the first request.