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

• US 8,626,440 B2
• Filed: 04/17/2006
• Issued: 01/07/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: HERE Global B.V. (HERE Holding Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Navteq B.V. (HERE Holding Corporation)
• Inventors: Cera, Christopher D., Soulchin, Robert M., Smyth, Brian J., Agree, Jonathan K., Auxer, Gregory A., Matzelle, Brent R., Balcerzak, Michal, Grubner, John B. III, Smith, Eric R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Holwerda, Stephen
• Application Number:
  US11/405,228
• Publication Number:
  US 20060253245A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,822 Days
• Field of Search: 701/208, 701/117, 701/118, 701/119, 701/400, 701/410, 701/414, 701/415, 701/418, 701/422, 701/423, 701/425, 701/436, 707/200, 340/905, 340/990, 340/995, 340/995.1, 340/995.12, 340/995.13, 340/995.14, 340/995.15, 702/212, 345/418, 345/419
• US Class Current: 701/436
• 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:

generating a list of routes on the road system, each route on the list having a start geographical location and an end geographical location;

obtaining traffic flow data for the road system;

obtaining from a user a selection of a route from the list of routes;

obtaining from the user a selection of a start position and an end position on the selected route that are user adjustable within the start and end geographical locations of the selected route; and

creating and displaying an animated flythrough 3D graphical map for a traffic report, wherein the animated flythrough 3D graphical map has a virtual camera view that follows the route beginning at the start position and navigating toward the end position, and shows graphical representations of vehicles on the route whose movements are controlled by the traffic flow data.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the virtual camera view further shows 2D informational graphics as the virtual camera view follows the route.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

stopping the virtual camera view at a point between the start and end positions while continuously displaying the graphical representations of vehicles on the route whose movements are controlled by the traffic flow data.

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:

generating a list of routes on the road system, each route on the list having a start geographical location and an end geographical location;

obtaining traffic flow data for the road system;

obtaining from a user a selection of a route from the list of routes;

obtaining from the user a selection of a start position and an end position on the selected route that are user adjustable within the start and end geographical locations of the selected route; and

creating and displaying an animated flythrough 3D graphical map for a traffic report, wherein the animated flythrough 3D graphical map has a virtual camera view that follows the route beginning at the start position and navigating toward the end position, and shows graphical representations of vehicles on the route whose movements are controlled by the traffic flow data.

5. The article of manufacture of claim 4 wherein the virtual camera view further shows 2D informational graphics as the virtual camera view follows the route.

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

stopping the virtual camera view at a point between the start and end positions while continuously displaying the graphical representations of vehicles on the route whose movements are controlled by the traffic flow data.

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:

means for generating a list of routes on the road system, each route on the list having a start geographical location and an end geographical location;

means for obtaining traffic flow data for the road system;

means for allowing a user to select a route from the list of routes;

means for allowing the user to select a start position and an end position on the selected route that are user adjustable within the start and end geographical locations of the selected route; and

means for creating and displaying an animated flythrough 3D graphical map for a traffic report, wherein the animated flythrough 3D graphical map has a virtual camera view that follows the route beginning at the start position and navigating toward the end position, and shows graphical representations of vehicles on the route whose movements are controlled by the traffic flow data.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the virtual camera view further shows 2D informational graphics as the virtual camera view follows the route.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising:

means for stopping the virtual camera view at a point between the start and end positions while continuously displaying graphical representations of vehicles on the route whose movements are controlled by the traffic flow data.