Street-level route path occlusion for navigation clarity
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current digital map technologies for navigation often fail to provide effective street-level guidance, as they lack realistic representation of routes and occlusions, leading to confusion for travelers.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that superimpose route paths over street-level views, depicting them as occluded by physical objects, using photographic scene bubbles and geometry to create a realistic and context-aware navigation experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If route paths are superimposed over street-level views without occlusion, then the navigation guidance is clear and visible, but the representation becomes unrealistic and confusing for travelers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies occlusion to route paths where they would normally be invisible or confusing, converting this harmful factor into a beneficial realism feature. By depicting route paths as actually blocked by buildings, trees, or other objects in the street-level view, the system creates an accurate representation of real-world navigation challenges, helping users understand why certain routes are blocked and what alternatives may be available.
2Ease of operation
If digital maps provide simplified route instructions, then the navigation is easy to understand, but the context and realism are insufficient for effective street-level guidance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges simplified route instructions with realistic street-level visual context by superimposing route paths over actual photographs or 3D representations of streetscapes. This combination allows users to receive easy-to-follow navigation directions while simultaneously seeing the real-world context, including buildings, trees, and other objects that affect navigation, thereby enhancing both simplicity and realism.
Solution Approach 2:
The street-level view acts as an intermediary between the simplified route instructions and the actual physical environment. By displaying realistic street-level imagery with overlaid route paths, the system provides contextual information that bridges the gap between abstract navigation instructions and real-world navigation challenges, helping users better understand and execute the guidance.
3Loss of information
If route paths are depicted as completely visible, then the navigation path is clear, but it fails to represent real-world obstacles and occlusions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different visual qualities to different portions of the route path based on local conditions. Where the route path is blocked by buildings, trees, or other objects, the depiction shows occlusion to indicate the blockage. Where the path is clear, it remains fully visible. This local differentiation maintains route visibility where appropriate while accurately representing obstacles where they exist, balancing information loss prevention with representation accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
To more realistically represent the real-world, a street-level view depicts a route path and objects that occlude one or more segments of the route path. Such objects can include guardrails, buildings, or any of a variety of other objects as described herein. The street-level view can be implemented in advance to preview travel, during travel, or in other scenarios. The street-level view presents the route path from a viewpoint that can be a current location of a traveler or an arbitrary location.