Raster Data Overlay for Animated Map Weather Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for displaying animated data on maps, such as weather data, result in lengthy data transfer times and high bandwidth consumption due to the need to reload images of the same resolution when zooming in or out, leading to cumbersome user experiences and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
The method involves initially loading raster data at a coarser zoom level and manipulating it on the client to match the desired zoom level, rather than reloading new images, thereby reducing data transfer requirements and load times by up to 90% while maintaining acceptable image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If images are reloaded at the same resolution every time the user zooms in or out, then the image quality is maintained, but the data transfer time and bandwidth consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by loading raster data at a coarser zoom level than the current view level. The client then manipulates this coarser data locally to display at the appropriate resolution. This means that only the necessary level of detail is loaded from the server, while the remaining resolution is generated locally through manipulation of the coarser dataset, thereby reducing data transfer time while maintaining acceptable image quality.
2Measurement precision
If high-resolution images are loaded for every zoom level, then the display accuracy is improved, but the bandwidth cost and data transfer requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the resolution parameter of the loaded raster data based on the relationship between the current zoom level and the data zoom level. When the data zoom level is coarser than the current view level, the system loads data at the coarser level and manipulates it locally. This parameter change approach allows the system to adapt the data resolution to the actual viewing requirements, reducing bandwidth consumption while maintaining acceptable display accuracy.
3Reliability
If the client loads data tiles from the server for every time-slice selected, then the data freshness is improved, but the load time and data transfer requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by loading a coarser version of the raster data that can serve multiple zoom levels. Instead of loading fresh high-resolution data for every zoom level change, the system prepares a base layer of coarser data that can be manipulated locally to represent different time slices and zoom levels. This preliminary loading approach maintains data freshness for the required time slices while significantly reducing load times and data transfer requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A data visualization technique rapidly loads images to decrease data transfer time and associated bandwidth cost for animation effects in displays of data, and includes initially loading raster imagery at a coarser zoom level than a current view on the display, and then manipulating the imagery using general-purpose image manipulation algorithms to interpolate data points as a user adjusts the zoom level. In this manner, the data visualization technique intentionally displays a coarser view than that selected, rather than transferring entirely new imagery or datasets, and manipulates the imagery as necessary to avoid loading more data from a remote server to the local client each time the user adjusts the view.