Streaming and interactive visualization of filled polygon data in a geographic information system
First Claim
1. A method executed by a geographic information computer system for streaming and interactive visualization of filled polygon data, the method comprising:
- receiving a complex polygon dataset associated with a geographic location, the complex polygon dataset including 3D buildings represented by polygons at a first level of detail, each building having a height;
filtering the polygons representing the buildings according to height of the buildings to form a first group of polygons for buildings having at least a minimum height, the first group of polygons associated with the first level of detail;
simplifying geometry of the first group of polygons to form a second group of less complex polygons at a second level of detail, wherein the second level of detail is lower than the first level of detail, and wherein simplifying geometry to form a second group of less complex polygons further comprises;
sorting polygons based on volumes enclosed by the polygons; and
eliminating polygons that do not enclose at least a minimum volume from the second group; and
storing in a computer storage medium the second group of polygons at the second level of detail so that it is available for subsequent incremental streaming in response to client fly-through requests.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Interactive geographic information systems (GIS) and techniques are disclosed that provide users with a greater degree of flexibility, utility, and information. A markup language is provided that facilitates communication between servers and clients of the interactive GIS, which enables a number of GIS features, such as network links (time-based and/or view-dependent dynamic data layers), ground overlays, screen overlays, placemarks, 3D models, and stylized GIS elements, such as geometry, icons, description balloons, polygons, and labels in the viewer by which the user sees the target area. Also, “virtual tours” of user-defined paths in the context of distributed geospatial visualization is enabled. Streaming and interactive visualization of filled polygon data are also enabled thereby allowing buildings and other such features to be provided in 3D. Also, techniques for enabling ambiguous search requests in a GIS are provided.
303 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method executed by a geographic information computer system for streaming and interactive visualization of filled polygon data, the method comprising:
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receiving a complex polygon dataset associated with a geographic location, the complex polygon dataset including 3D buildings represented by polygons at a first level of detail, each building having a height; filtering the polygons representing the buildings according to height of the buildings to form a first group of polygons for buildings having at least a minimum height, the first group of polygons associated with the first level of detail; simplifying geometry of the first group of polygons to form a second group of less complex polygons at a second level of detail, wherein the second level of detail is lower than the first level of detail, and wherein simplifying geometry to form a second group of less complex polygons further comprises; sorting polygons based on volumes enclosed by the polygons; and eliminating polygons that do not enclose at least a minimum volume from the second group; and storing in a computer storage medium the second group of polygons at the second level of detail so that it is available for subsequent incremental streaming in response to client fly-through requests. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A non-transitory machine-readable medium encoded with instructions, that when executed by a processor of a geographic information computer system, cause the processor to carry out a process for streaming and interactive visualization of filled polygon data, the process comprising:
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receiving a complex polygon dataset associated with a geographic location, the complex polygon dataset including 3D buildings represented by polygons at a first level of detail, each building having a height; filtering the polygons representing the buildings according to height of the buildings to form a first group of polygons for buildings having at least a minimum height, the first group of polygons associated with the first level of detail; simplifying geometry of the first group of polygons to form a second group of less complex polygons at a second level of detail, wherein the second level of detail is lower than the first level of detail, and wherein simplifying geometry to form a second group of less complex polygons further comprises; sorting polygons based on volumes enclosed by the polygons; and eliminating polygons that do not enclose at least a minimum volume from the second group; and storing in a computer storage medium the second group of polygons at the second level of detail so that it is available for subsequent incremental streaming in response to client fly-through requests. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A geographic information computer system for streaming and interactive visualization of filled polygon data, the system comprising:
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an asset creation module for receiving a complex polygon dataset associated with a geographic location, the complex polygon dataset including 3D buildings represented by polygons at a first level of detail, each building having a height; a height-based pre-filtering module for filtering the polygons representing 3D buildings according to height of the buildings to form a first group of polygons for buildings having a least a minimum height, the first group of polygons associated with the first level of detail a feature-preserving simplification module for simplifying geometry of the group of polygons to form a second group of less complex polygons at a second level of detail, wherein the second level of detail is lower than the first level of detail, and wherein the feature-preserving simplification module is configured for sorting polygons based on volumes enclosed by the polygons and eliminating polygons that do not enclose at least a minimum volume from the second group; and a database for storing the second group of polygons at the second level of detail so that it is available for subsequent incremental streaming in response to client fly-through requests. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification