Design of arbitrary linear and non-linear maps

• US 20070176932A1
• Filed: 02/01/2006
• Published: 08/02/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Salmre, Ivo
• Granted Patent: US 7,649,534 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/440
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 3/153 using elastic snapping

Abstract

Various software mapping aspects are provided. They include, but are not limited to, providing linear map to non-linear map conversion or transformation (and vice versa) in a symmetric fashion, so that data in one map upon conversion is symmetric in another map with respect to the former map. One way this is accomplished is by the use of dual-triangles that are mapped into the former and latter map, by having, in one exemplary aspect, the same vertices in both maps. Additional features, such as selection regions for regions to be converted or not converted are used. Furthermore, dual-triangle subdivision or aggregation techniques can be used to provide a desired mapping scenario. Finally, APIs are presented that allow developers and users of such mapping technology to implement the various aspects disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A system for designing and using arbitrary maps, comprising:

a first map image; and

a plurality of dual-triangles mapped onto the first map image and having correspondence to a second map image, wherein the plurality of dual-triangles have the same vertices in the second map image as in the first map image, and wherein any points that are converted from the first map image to the second map image are converted symmetrically.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first map image is one of a non-linear map and a linear map.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the second map image is one of a non-linear map and a linear map.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of dual-triangles is selected into a region to be converted from the first map image to the second map image.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein a region on the first map image is configured to be designated as avoiding conversion from the first map image to the second map image.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein at least one triangle of the plurality of dual-triangles is configured to be subdivided into a plurality of sub-triangles.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein any points that are converted from the second map image to the first map image are converted symmetrically.

9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising selecting a region on the first map image to be transformed into a corresponding region on the second map image.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the selecting of the region on the first map image includes the selecting of the first triangle.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein determining in the second triangle the at least one corresponding point to the at least one point comprises computing a first vector from the first vertex to the at least one point.

12. The method according to claim 11, further comprising extrapolating a second vector, from the at least one point to a point on a side of the first triangle opposite of the first vertex.

13. The method according to claim 12, further comprising computing a ratio of the first vector to the second vector.

14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising computing the length of the segment from the second vertex to the point on the side of the first triangle opposite of the first vertex, and computing the length of the segment from the second vertex to the third vertex, and determining a primary ratio, furthermore, computing the length of the segment from the third vertex to the point on the side of the first triangle opposite of the first vertex, and computing the length of the segment from the second vertex to the third vertex, and determining a secondary ratio.

15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising using the primary ratio and the secondary ratio to compute a point on a side of the second triangle opposite of the first vertex.

16. The method according to claim 15, further comprising using the point on the side of the second triangle opposite of the first vertex and the ratio of the first vector to the second vector to compute a third vector, wherein this third vector emanates from the first vertex and points towards the point on the side of the second triangle opposite of the first vertex.

17. The method according to claim 16, further comprising using the first vertex and the third vector to compute the at least one corresponding point in the second triangle, wherein the at least one corresponding point corresponds to the at least one point of the first triangle that was transformed.

8. A method for designing and using arbitrary maps, comprising:

determining on a first map image a first triangle defined by a first vertex, a second vertex, and a third vertex;

determining on a second map image a second triangle defined by the first vertex, the second vertex, and the third vertex;

determining at least one point in the first triangle; and

determining in the second triangle at least one corresponding point to the at least one point, wherein the at least one point is transformed into the at least one corresponding point symmetrically relative to the first vertex, the second vertex, and the third vertex.

18. A computer readable medium bearing tangible executable instructions for designing and using arbitrary maps, comprising:

an application programming interface configured to allow a definition of a plurality of dual-triangles corresponding to a first map image and to a second map image, wherein the plurality of dual-triangles allow for symmetric transformation of data between the first map image and the second map image for selected regions on one of the first map image and the second map image.

19. The computer readable medium according to claim 18, wherein the plurality of dual-triangles are defined at design-time.

20. The computer readable medium according to claim 18, wherein the plurality of dual-triangles are defined at run-time.