Data-driven 3D traffic views with the view based on user-selected start and end geographical locations

• US 20060253245A1
• Filed: 04/17/2006
• Published: 11/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: HERE Global B.V. (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: HERE Global B.V. (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Bakcerzak, Michal, Agree, Jonathan K., Smyth, Brian J., Soulchin, Robert M., Matzelle, Brent R., Smith, Eric R., Auxer, Gregory A., Cera, Christopher D., Grubner, John B. III
• Granted Patent: US 8,626,440 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/117
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04815 Interaction with a metaphor-based environment or interaction object displayed as three-dimensional, e.g. changing the user viewpoint with respect to the environment or object

Abstract

Traffic flow data representing traffic conditions on a road system is obtained. A user selects a start geographical location and an end geographical location. An animated flythrough 3D graphical map is then created and displayed beginning at the start geographical location and navigating toward the end geographical location. The traffic flow data is continuously displayed during the flythrough.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method of displaying on a 3D graphical map traffic flow data representing traffic conditions on a road system, the method comprising:

(a) obtaining traffic flow data for the road system;

(b) a user selecting a start geographical location and an end geographical location; and

(c) creating and displaying an animated flythrough 3D graphical map beginning at the start geographical location and navigating toward the end geographical location, wherein the traffic flow data is continuously displayed during the flythrough.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the user-selected start and end locations are associated with a keyroute, and the flythrough graphical map follows the keyroute.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

(d) stopping the flythrough at a point between the start and end geographical location while continuously displaying the traffic flow data, even though the flythrough has stopped.

4. An article of manufacture for displaying on a 3D graphical map traffic flow data representing traffic conditions on a road system, the article of manufacture comprising a computer-readable medium holding computer-executable instructions for performing a method comprising:

(a) obtaining traffic flow data for the road system;

(b) a user selecting a start geographical location and an end geographical location; and

(c) creating and displaying an animated flythrough 3D graphical map beginning at the start geographical location and navigating toward the end geographical location, wherein the traffic flow data is continuously displayed during the flythrough.

5. The article of manufacture of claim 4 wherein the user-selected start and end locations are associated with a keyroute, and the flythrough graphical map follows the keyroute.

6. The article of manufacture of claim 4 further comprising:

(d) stopping the flythrough at a point between the start and end geographical location while continuously displaying the traffic flow data, even though the flythrough has stopped.

7. A computer-implemented apparatus for displaying on a 3D graphical map traffic flow data representing traffic conditions on a road system, the apparatus comprising:

(a) means for obtaining traffic flow data for the road system;

(b) means for allowing a user to select a start geographical location and an end geographical location; and

(c) means for creating and displaying an animated flythrough 3D graphical map beginning at the start geographical location and navigating toward the end geographical location, wherein the traffic flow data is continuously displayed during the flythrough.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the user-selected start and end locations are associated with a keyroute, and the flythrough graphical map follows the keyroute.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising:

(d) means for stopping the flythrough at a point between the start and end geographical location while continuously displaying the traffic flow data, even though the flythrough has stopped.