Polygon Object Search in Navigation Map Databases
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Navigation systems face challenges in searching and guiding users to polygon objects defined by polygon data that are not associated with any Point of Interest (POI) data, as existing methods rely on POI names, types, or other identifications which are not available for these objects.
Innovation Solution
Creating data tables based on polygon data that allow users to search and select polygon objects by name or location, using administrative regions like states, counties, and cities, and calculating routes to these objects even if their center points are not on roads, by shifting the address to an adjacent road point.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If polygon objects are stored only in the map database without POI associations, then the map database can represent all geographic objects accurately, but the navigation system cannot search or guide users to these objects using existing POI-based methods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary data structure (polygon object data table) that mediates between the raw polygon data in the map database and the search/guidance functions. This intermediary layer stores processed polygon information including name, location, and other attributes, enabling search and guidance operations without requiring POI associations in the original map database.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary processing of polygon data by pre-extracting and storing relevant attributes (name, location, center point coordinates) in a dedicated data table before search operations are needed. This preliminary action enables efficient search and guidance operations to be performed later without reprocessing the entire map database.
2Ease of operation
If the navigation system uses POI-based search methods, then existing POI data can be searched effectively, but polygon objects without POI associations cannot be searched or identified
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal search mechanism that can handle both POI-based destinations and polygon objects without POI data. The polygon object data table serves as a universal repository that stores both traditional POI information and polygon-specific attributes, allowing the same search interface to accommodate both types of destinations seamlessly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a copy of polygon data in a dedicated data table structure that mirrors the functionality of POI data tables. This copy contains polygon-specific attributes (name, location, center point) that enable search operations similar to POI searching, allowing polygon objects to be treated with the same ease as traditional POI destinations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If polygon data is added to the map database to represent large structures and natural objects, then the map database becomes more comprehensive, but the amount of data increases and search efficiency may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the polygon data processing into separate components: the original polygon data remains in the map database for comprehensive representation, while a dedicated polygon object data table stores processed and searchable attributes. This segmentation allows the system to maintain complete map data while organizing search-related information in a separate, more manageable structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts relevant polygon attributes (name, location, center point coordinates) from the comprehensive polygon data in the map database and places them in a dedicated data table. This extraction separates the search functionality from the comprehensive map data, allowing efficient searching without requiring the entire complex polygon data to be processed during search operations.
4Ease of manufacture
If the navigation system calculates routes to polygon objects by using their center points, then route calculation is simplified, but accuracy deteriorates when center points are not on roads
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism in the route calculation process that checks whether the polygon center point lies on a road. If the center point is not on a road, the system automatically adjusts the starting point to the nearest road intersection or adjacent point. This feedback loop maintains both the simplicity of using center points for initial calculation and the precision of accurate route guidance by correcting obvious errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter used for route calculation dynamically based on the polygon's characteristics. When the center point is not on a road, the system changes the starting point parameter from the center point coordinates to the nearest road point coordinates. This parameter change allows the system to maintain simple center-point-based calculation for most cases while adjusting to nearest-road-based calculation when necessary for precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for searching polygon objects defined by polygon data in the map database of a navigation system when such polygon objects are not associated with any POIs. The method includes the steps of creating a data table which arranges information on the polygon objects in the map database based on polygon names, creating a data table which arranges information on the polygon objects in the map database based on polygon locations, prompting a user to specify a desired polygon object through a screen of the navigation system either by a polygon name or a polygon location, retrieving candidate polygon objects from the corresponding data tables that match inputs specified by the user and displaying a list of the retrieved polygon objects in a predetermined order, and allowing the user to finalize selection of the desired polygon object.