XML/SVG Map Data Layering for Navigation Conversion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional navigation systems face inefficiencies in data conversion from GDF to PSF format, requiring extensive time and labor, with inflexible and non-expandable map data formats that are difficult to modify and update, leading to inconsistencies and increased complexity.

Innovation Solution

The navigation system utilizes XML/SVG format map data directly converted from GDF format, allowing for easy modification and updates due to human-readable text data, and is structured in layers based on administrative regions for efficient data transmission and processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If GDF format map data is converted to PSF format for navigation system use, then the map data becomes suitable for hardware performance and navigation functions, but the conversion process is extremely complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesuitability for navigation systemVSAvoidconversion process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediate data structure that serves as a mediator between GDF and PSF formats. This intermediate structure contains essential map elements (roads, intersections, polygons) in a simplified format that can be easily converted to PSF, thereby reducing conversion complexity while maintaining navigation system suitability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts only the essential map elements needed for navigation (roads, intersections, polygons, connectivity information) from the complete GDF format, discarding unnecessary data. This extraction creates a streamlined intermediate format that is much easier to convert to PSF, reducing overall conversion complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of manufacture

If GDF map data is converted to PSF format with meshed portions, then the map data is optimized for display and navigation, but inconsistencies between adjacent meshed portions occur and map accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay optimizationVSAvoidmap accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the map data into distinct elemental components (roads, intersections, polygons) with clearly defined attributes and relationships. Each element is independently structured with precise geometric and topological information, ensuring that when assembled into meshed portions for display, the boundaries and connections remain accurate and consistent across adjacent regions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If GDF format is converted to PSF format to accommodate hardware limitations, then the navigation system performance is optimized, but the conversion requires extensive data modification and addition

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenavigation system performanceVSAvoiddata modification complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter structure of map data by organizing it into a hierarchical element-based format with standardized attributes (geometric coordinates, connectivity relationships, classification codes). This parameter reorganization allows direct mapping to PSF requirements without extensive modification, as the intermediate format already contains all necessary navigation parameters in an efficiently structured form

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Productivity

If PSF format is used for map data storage, then hardware performance requirements are met, but the format is inflexible and lacks expandability for updates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehardware performance compatibilityVSAvoidflexibility and expandability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a dynamic intermediate data structure that can be easily modified, updated, and expanded. The element-based format with standardized attributes allows new map elements and attributes to be added without restructuring the entire data format, providing flexibility and expandability while maintaining hardware compatibility through controlled conversion to PSF

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

5Adaptability or versatility

If extensive conversion processes are used to transform GDF to PSF format, then the map data becomes suitable for navigation systems, but the conversion time and labor increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenavigation system suitabilityVSAvoidconversion time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary organization of map data into the intermediate element-based format that closely resembles the target PSF structure. By pre-structuring the data with the correct hierarchical relationships, geometric representations, and attribute formats before final PSF conversion, the actual conversion process requires minimal additional processing steps, dramatically reducing conversion time and labor

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS7542846B2Navigation system utilizing XML/SVG map data converted from geographic map data and layered structure of XML/SVG map data based on administrative regions

Publication Date: 2009.06.02 ALPINE ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

A navigation system uses XML/SVG format map data for achieving flexibility in modifying the map data. A method of converting geographic data into the XML/SVG format map data includes the steps of retrieving the geographic data, analyzing the retrieved geographic data for its data elements structure, data type and semantics, and converting the analyzed data to the XML/SVG format map data for use with the navigation system. The XML/SVG format map data is constructed in a layered structure created based on administrative regions such as states, counties and cities. The XML/SVG format map data can be delivered to a remote user as a unit of administrative region through a communication network.