Apparatus and Method of Compiling a Combined Picture and Showing It on a Display

• US 20090093955A1
• Filed: 03/09/2005
• Published: 04/09/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: TomTom International BV (TomTom NV)
• Original Assignee: TomTom International BV (TomTom NV)
• Inventors: Geelen, Pieter
• Application Number:
  US11/885,671
• Publication Number:
  US 20090093955A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/211
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3667 Display of a road map G01C21/3614 takes precedence; guidance using 3D or perspective road maps G01C21/3635
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 29/106 using electronic means

Abstract

In one embodiment of the present invention, a method of and system for receiving vector graphics data is disclosed relating to a map of a first geographic area corresponding to a portion of the earth surface and to show first data relating to the vector graphics data on a display, the method also including receiving raster graphics data relating to a second geographic area, and to show second data relating to the raster graphics data in an area on the display.

Claims

1. Navigation system comprising a processors, a memory and a displays, the processor being arranged to communicate with the memory and the displays, the memory storing instructions and data to allow said processor to run a program, the processor being arranged to receive vector graphics data relating to a map of a first geographic area corresponding to a portion of the earth surface and to show first data relating to said vector graphics data on said display and to calculate a route based on received user instructions, the processor also being arranged to receive raster graphics data relating to a second geographic area, and to show second data relating to said raster graphics data on top of said first data in an area on said display, which second data is aligned as to latitude and longitude with said first data on the display if latitude and longitude data to that effect is available.

2. Navigation system according to claim 1, wherein said second geographic data is more detailed than said first geographic data.

3. Navigation system according to claim 1, wherein said processor is arranged to re-show predetermined portions of said first data on top of said second data.

4. Navigation system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said vector graphics data and raster graphics data comprise height information.

5. Navigation system according to claim 1, wherein said processor is arranged to show said second data only when it comprises pixel data above a predetermined first density level and below a predetermined second density level, said second level being higher than said first level.

6. Navigation system according to claim 1, wherein said processor is arranged to display at least one of said first and second data in a perspective view.

7. Navigation system according to claim 1, wherein said system is arranged to download said raster graphics data from an external source.

8. Navigation system according to claim 7, wherein said system is arranged to continuously download raster graphics data based pictures of areas surrounding the location of the navigation system itself.

9. Navigation system according to claim 7, wherein said raster graphics data includes real-time photographic data.

10. Navigation system according to claim 1, wherein said processor is connected to a location sensor and is arranged to determine a location of said navigation system based on data received from said location sensor, and to show said location on said display.

11. Navigation system according to claim 10, wherein said processor is arranged to calculate said route for a user of said navigation system based on starting position data and destination position data.

12. Navigation system according to claim 1, wherein said memory stores multiple portions of raster graphics data and said processor is arranged to select one or more of said portions on predetermined criteria, and to transform said selected one or more of said portions into said second data.

13. Navigation system according to claim 12, wherein said multiple portions comprise at least two portions relating to an overlapping geographic area.

14. Navigation system according to claim 13, wherein said criterion is based on pixel density per earth surface area.

15. Navigation system according to claim 14, wherein said memory stores said multiple portions in an order depending on latitude and longitude information.

16. Navigation system according to claim 1, wherein the processor is arranged to receive transformation instructions from a user so as to rotate and scale the second data on the display if the second data does not comprise suitable latitude and longitude data.

17. Method of receiving vector graphics data relating to a map of a first geographic area corresponding to a portion of the earth surface and to show first data relating to said vector graphics data on a display and to calculate a route based on received user instructions, the method also comprising receiving raster graphics data relating to a second geographic area, and to show second data relating to said raster graphics data on top of said first data in an area on said display, which second data is aligned as to latitude and longitude with said first data on the display if latitude and longitude data to that effect is available.

18. Computer program product comprising instructions and data to allow a processor to run a predetermined program in accordance with the method claimed in claim 17.

19. Data carrier comprising a computer program product according to claim 18.