Navigation Map Shadow Generation for Water Objects
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing navigation apparatuses face challenges in adding shadows to water-related objects, such as those with narrow piers, as the shadowing process either covers the pier or requires complex reduction conversions, disrupting the surrounding image.
Innovation Solution
A navigation apparatus and method that generate image information for a shadow region by offsetting the object in a predetermined direction, allowing for simple shadow addition without interrupting surrounding images, and includes a working area storage unit to handle objects spanning multiple pages, preventing display defects at page boundaries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If shadow images are generated by using reduction conversion of the object shape, then shadow can be added to water-related objects, but the process becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of shadow generation from reduction conversion to offset translation. Instead of reducing the object shape and converting it to a shadow, the invention translates the object outline by a predetermined offset distance in a shadow direction, thereby simplifying the processing while maintaining shadow generation accuracy.
2Ease of manufacture
If the object is moved in an oblique direction to add shadow, then shadow can be added to buildings, but narrow piers would be covered by the shadow and would no longer be visible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by treating different regions of the object differently. It identifies land portions (such as narrow piers) separately from water portions, and selectively adds shadows only to water-related objects while preserving the visibility of land features. This localized approach ensures that narrow piers remain visible while still achieving the shadow effect on water bodies.
3Illumination intensity
If reduction conversion is performed to add shadows, then shadow effect is achieved, but the surrounding image is interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses copying by creating a shadow image as a separate layer or overlay based on the object outline. Instead of modifying the original object image through reduction conversion, it generates a copy of the object contour, translates it to the shadow position, and composites it with the original image. This copying approach maintains the integrity and continuity of the surrounding image while adding the shadow effect.
Data Source
AI summary
A navigation apparatus includes a map data storage apparatus which obtains map data needed for drawing an object; a map buffer; a map drawing unit which generates image information corresponding to an object included in a background image on the basis of the map data, and stores the image information in a frame buffer; and a display processing unit which reads out the image information stored in the frame buffer and displays a map image on a display apparatus. The map drawing unit generates shadow image information for a shadow region of the object which is a region sandwiched between an outline of the object and an outline of the object after the object has been moved in a predetermined direction.