3D navigation methods using nonphotorealistic (NPR) 3D maps

• US 9,390,544 B2
• Filed: 10/20/2009
• Issued: 07/12/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Ren, Liu
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Phu K
• Application Number:
  US12/582,142
• Publication Number:
  US 20110090221A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,457 Days
• Field of Search: 345/419, 345/420, 382/113, 382/305, 701/409, 701/431, 701/441, 701/454
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3638 including 3D objects and buildings three dimensional [3D] modelling, e.g. data description of 3D objects G06T17/00; geographic models G06T17/05
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 15/02 Non-photorealistic rendering
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 19/00 Manipulating 3D models or images for computer graphics

Abstract

A method of displaying a navigation map includes automatically determining a location of a vehicle. Three-dimensional or 2D data associated with buildings surrounding the vehicle is identified. A nonphotorealistic image of 3D objects around the vehicle is rendered based on the data. The nonphotorealistic image is electronically displayed to a user.

Claims

1. A method of displaying a navigation map, comprising the steps of:

automatically determining a location of a vehicle;

identifying three-dimensional data associated with buildings surrounding the vehicle;

receiving an input from a user, the input being indicative of a nonphotorealistic image style requested by the user;

rendering a nonphotorealistic image based on the data and based on the input; and

electronically displaying the nonphotorealistic image to the user.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the nonphotorealistic image style comprises one of a cartoon style, a pen-and-ink style, and a pencil style.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the identifying step includes finding three-dimensional data associated with the location of the vehicle.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the identifying step includes retrieving the data from a compact disc disposed within the vehicle.

5. The method of claim 3 wherein the identifying step includes wirelessly receiving the data from a central repository of three-dimensional data.

6. The method of claim 1 comprising the further step of modifying a viewing angle of the nonphotorealistic image based on feedback from the user, the data describing shapes, dimensions, colors and windows of the buildings.