Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Computer graphics processing – Graph generating
Reexamination Certificate
1998-07-17
2001-06-12
Luu, Matthew (Department: 2672)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Computer graphics processing
Graph generating
C345S441000, C345S442000, C345S443000, C382S113000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06246417
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a map editing apparatus which facilitates editing of a map for a purpose such as generating a simplified map, while ensuring that predetermined position relationships within the map are preserved.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In the field of map editing, it is generally necessary that maps which result from such editing are detailed and accurate. In the case of map editing tools which are intended for general-purpose use, almost no functions are provided for actually editing maps themselves. However tools having some editing functions (such as the ⅔ dimension mapping system which has been developed by the Industrial Institute for Information Processing Advancement in Japan) have been produced.
Technology for a map editing apparatus which is capable of being switched between CAD (Computer-Aided Design) functions and attribute alteration functions has been disclosed in Japanese patent HEI 6-60136. With that apparatus, the editing functions utilize the same functions as those employed in CAD. Also, in Japanese patent HEI 8-77380, a system is described whereby degrees of priority are assigned to the constituent elements of a map in accordance with the strengths of their links to actual objects. When a map editing operation such as rotation processing is to be applied, with a plurality of map elements in the selected condition, alterations are applied in order from the elements having the lowest priority.
With prior art technology for map editing, the objective is usually to enable correction of the map data to be performed for the purpose of providing greater accuracy in the map. To some extent, the functions which are used as tools for CAD may be applied to such editing. However in the case of a map, it is also necessary to consider the question of maintaining conformity of certain position relationships within the map, when performing editing.
Furthermore in the case of a prior art technique whereby priority levels are assigned to the map elements, such that operations to change the shape of one element will result in linked changes in other elements, it is not always possible for a user to perform changes in shape within the map in accordance with the user's requirements.
Moreover there is a requirement for a capability whereby maps can be generated which, rather than being highly accurate and detailed, have been edited in such a way as to be made convenient to use and easily understandable. This can be achieved for example by emphasizing certain items of important information within the map and through the elimination of information which is not important, while leaving the accuracy of the map maintained at a certain level. Such types of map are generally designed by using conventional illustrator techniques. For that reason, such maps cannot be easily produced by an inexperienced person.
Furthermore, there is no map editing apparatus available which enables a user to specify that a special view of a particular small region in a map, such as a small picture providing an enlarged view or a birds-eye view of such a region, is to be automatically set into the map.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In order to overcome the above problems, it is an objective of the present invention to provide functions for facilitating the editing of data expressing a map, with the functions being selectively activated by a user while observing a display of the map. The apparatus is basically applicable to data expressing a map in which respective map elements such as street blocks, public buildings, etc., are expressed as respective sets of successively connected straight line segments (referred to in the following simply as line segments), with streets being defined between such map elements. The map elements may also include lines representing respective railroad lines, and dots, symbols or character strings which indicate special features such as public buildings, landmarks etc.
The editing functions of the apparatus include a capability for performing editing (referred to in the following and in the appended claims as transformation editing) which results in displacement, angular rotation, or shortening of respective selected line segments (e.g., selected in the displayed map by use of a usual type of computer input device such as a mouse), and also for arranging a pair of selected connected line segments to meet at a right angle, forming a pair of connected line segments with respective curvature such as to meet along a curved line, arranging a plurality of non-connected line segments in parallel, arranging a plurality of successively connected line segments along a straight line. In addition, such transformation editing functions include a capability for combining a selected plurality of map elements such as street blocks into a single element, for the purpose of simplifying the map.
The characterizing features of the present invention are that:
(a) such transformation editing operations, once specified by the user, are executed automatically in accordance with predetermined parameters. For example, line shortening occurs through shortening of a selected line segment by a predetermined proportion of its length, and
(b) each time that execution of such a transformation editing operation is specified by the user, the apparatus detects whether that operation will have the effect of causing a predetermined form of nonconformity in the map, such as overlapping between respective map elements. In such a case, the map editing apparatus automatically modifies a parameter of that transformation editing operation (for example, by reducing the proportion by which a line segment will be shortened), and repeats such modifications if necessary until it becomes possible to execute the specified editing operation without the occurrence of nonconformity. The apparatus thereby automatically maintains conformity of predetermined position relationships within the map.
In addition the invention provides functions whereby, when the user selects a pair of mutually adjacent line segments, the spacing between these line segments can be automatically increased or decreased by a predetermined proportion. If the line segments are constituent parts of opposing street blocks, i.e. with a street segment defined between the selected line segments, automatic widening or narrowing of such a street segment can thereby be easily performed, Such widening of a street serves to emphasize that street, as seen in the map.
The invention also provides functions for generating an expanded picture, a birds-eye view picture or an original picture, of a region surrounding a user-specified ground point on a map and for then setting the resultant picture into the map. Such an expanded picture, birds-eye view picture or original picture can be set into the map at a location which is centered on the original ground point for that picture, or at a different location which is centered on a ground point that is selected by the user. In the latter case, the apparatus will automatically generate an indication line (referred to in the following as an extraction line) pointing from the original location to the shifted location of the picture. The term “original picture” as used in the present specification and claims signifies a portion of a map which is being edited, taken in an original condition of that map, i.e. in a condition prior to executing any editing operations on that map by the apparatus of the present invention.
By providing the above functions, the present invention provides a map editing apparatus whereby a user can readily edit data expressing an existing map to produce a modified map which is easy to read, and whereby the user can set into the map considerable amounts of information, while maintaining conformity of predetermined position relationships within the map.
More specifically, according to a first aspect, the invention provides a map editing apparatus operable for generating a display image of a selected map and for editing the
Abe Akihiro
Kambe Nobuhiro
Nakano Go
Shimada Takanori
Chung Daniel J
Gopstein Israel
Luu Matthew
Matsushita Electric - Industrial Co., Ltd.
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