Dynamic Vehicle Icon Orientation on Transit Maps

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional on-demand transportation information systems suffer from inaccuracies and inflexibilities in representing public transportation vehicle locations and orientations within user interfaces, due to reliance on sporadic GTFS data and generic icon representations, leading to inaccurate and unrealistic displays.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle-icon-animation system that generates predicted routes and location points for public transportation vehicles based on received transit information, allowing for accurate rendering of vehicle icons reflecting realistic orientations and movements along routes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If generic flat icons are used to represent public transportation vehicles, then the system is simple to implement, but the accuracy of vehicle location and orientation representation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveicon representation systemVSAvoidvehicle location and orientation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from static flat icons to dynamic vehicle icons that continuously update their orientation and position. The vehicle icons are rendered to face the direction of travel and move along the predicted route, creating a dynamic representation that accurately reflects the vehicle's current state rather than using a fixed, static icon design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses copying by creating visual representations (vehicle icons) that replicate the actual vehicle's orientation and position. The icons are designed to copy the vehicle's directional facing and location along the route, providing an accurate visual duplicate of the vehicle's state in the graphical map display.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Ease of manufacture

If sporadic GTFS data is used for location updates, then the system is easy to maintain, but the accuracy and timeliness of vehicle location information deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem maintenanceVSAvoidvehicle location accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by generating predicted routes and predicted location points in advance before the vehicle actually reaches those locations. The system pre-calculates the vehicle's path and creates a framework for continuous location estimation, allowing it to provide accurate position information between actual GTFS data updates without requiring real-time data at every moment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing predicted location points as intermediate references between actual GTFS data updates. These predicted points serve as mediators that allow the system to estimate vehicle position continuously along the route, bridging the gaps between sporadic actual location data points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If rigid periodic updates are used for vehicle locations, then the system is simple to implement, but the flexibility and granularity of location information deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocation update systemVSAvoidlocation update granularity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the vehicle's route into multiple predicted location points spaced at intervals along the predicted path. This segmentation allows the system to provide granular location information at specific segments of the route rather than using a single rigid periodic update, enabling more detailed and flexible position tracking throughout the journey.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Power

If flat icons are used without orientation data, then the system requires minimal data processing, but the realism and accuracy of vehicle movement representation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata processing capabilityVSAvoidvehicle orientation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the vehicle icons dynamically oriented based on the vehicle's direction of travel. The icons are rendered to face the direction the vehicle is moving at each predicted location point, creating a realistic and accurate representation of vehicle orientation rather than using static, unoriented flat icons.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12163792B2Rendering location and orientation of public transportation vehicle icons within a graphical map display

Publication Date: 2024.12.10 LYFT INC

AI summary

This disclosure describes a vehicle-icon-animation system that determines render orientations for rendering a vehicle icon to represent a public transportation vehicle traveling along a predicted route. For example, based on analyzing public transit information, the disclosed systems can determine render orientations corresponding to locations of a public transportation vehicle along a predicted route. In addition, the disclosed systems can render (or cause a client device to render) a vehicle icon to portray the public transportation vehicle pointing in different render orientations at various locations along the predicted route. Further, the disclosed systems can update the vehicle icon to render it in a new location within a graphical map display based on updated public transit information.