EP2269184A1

EP2269184A1 - Interactive method for the displaying integrated schematic network plans and geographic maps

Info

Publication number: EP2269184A1
Application number: EP09720441A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ulrik Brandes; Joachim BÖTTGER; Oliver Deussen; Hendrik Ziezold
Original assignee: Universitaet Konstanz
Current assignee: Universitaet Konstanz
Priority date: 2008-03-04
Filing date: 2009-03-04
Publication date: 2011-01-05
Also published as: DE102008012411A1; WO2009112190A1; US20110141115A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a computer-implemented method, system, and computer program product for dynamically integrating a geographic map representation and a schematic map representation. The method comprises: providing a geographic map representation have one or more starting positions associated with one or more destinations in a schematic map representation; calculating an interpolating and continuous display function by applying a warping method in connection with a method for monitoring overlap to the starting positions and the destinations; and displaying a dynamic or interactive integrated map representation by dynamically applying the display function to the geographic map representation and/or the schematic map representation so that each map representation is distorted according to a selected distortion factor, wherein the integrated map representation represents at least elements and/or parts of both the geographic map representation and the schematic map representation, independent of the selected distortion factor.

Description

"Interactive method for the integrated representation of schematic networks and geographical maps"

description

The present invention generally relates to a computer-aided display of two-dimensional data. More specifically, the present invention relates to a computer-implemented method, a computer program product, a system, and a display for dynamically and interactively integrating schematic map data and geographic map data.

If a person wants to get from one place (or point) to another place (or point) in a city using a metro, for example, they will probably have two plans - one schematic map or one network map. ) Plan for the subway and on the other a geographical map of the city - use. On the one hand, the schematic map is optimized in terms of readability of information describing a structure of connections and nodes of, for example, a transport network. However, even electrical, electronic or computer-stored schematic maps displayed via an output device (e.g., display or screen) show little or no information describing details in the environment of, for example, a subway station. On the other hand, the geographic map is useful for displaying detailed information, such as individual roads and intersections, geographically correct (ie, corresponding to the real world), but is unsuitable for getting a quick overview of, for example, possible subway links from one station to another ,

First, there are (electronic or computer-aided) geographical maps that are annotated, for example, with subway stations and lines, but where the schematic character of a schematic map has been completely lost, because the schematic map was adapted to the geographical. As a result, in such annotated maps, even when in electronic form, it is not possible to select a level of detail depending on user-defined indications and / or the geographic location of a user. In other words, with such maps it is not possible dynamically or interactively to switch between different gradations in the transition from a geographical map representation to a schematic map representation (or vice versa). Such maps are therefore static.

On the other hand, there are (electronic or computer-supported) schematic maps that are enriched or annotated, for example, around a subway station with additional geographical data about the surroundings of the subway station. However, it is then necessary to adapt a schematic map, for example to make room for a subway station and its geographical environment on the map available. Since such maps are not dynamic, consequently, not any arbitrary starting point but only the (direct) environment of a subway station can be displayed in more detailed (and cartographically correct) view.

The object of the invention is to provide a computer-implemented method, system and computer program product which is suitable for generating an electronic or computer-based map representation, which is a schematic map representation and a geographical Map display dynamically or interactively integrated.

This object is achieved according to the invention by the features of the independent claims. Preferred embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

According to the invention, a computer implemented method for dynamically integrating a geographic map representation and a schematic one Map representation (or a computer-implemented dynamic or interactive method based on a geographic map representation and a schematic map representation) provided, the method comprising:

Providing a geographical map representation (or map data) with one or more home positions (or points) associated with one or more target locations (or points) in a schematic map representation (or map data);

Calculating an interpolating and continuous mapping function by applying a warping method to the starting position (s) and the target position (s) (as reference points) associated with a method of overlap control; and

Displaying a dynamically or interactively integrated map display (preferably displaying a dynamic or interactive map, two maps optimized for different usage modes, the optimized maps comprising the geographic map display and the schematic map display) by dynamically applying the mapping function to the geographic map display and / or the schematic map representation such that the respective map representation is distorted according to a selected distortion factor, the integrated map representation representing at least elements and / or parts of both the geographic map representation and the schematic map representation, independent of the selected distortion factor.

Accordingly, a dynamic and / or interactive method for generating and / or displaying an integrated (map) representation is provided, which is based in particular on an integration of a geographical map representation and a schematic map representation. Consequently, a dynamic or interactively integrated (map) representation is generated or calculated and displayed, which in particular comprises an integrated representation based on at least two different usage modes.

Such maps optimized for specific usage modes include, for example, geographical map representations and schematic map representations. Thus, unlike a mere blending of a geographic map with a schematic map, an integrated representation of both maps is generated and displayed which, regardless of a selected degree of distortion, displays both maps in an integrated form, especially if the geographic map or map is completely distorted schematic representation, ie the other representation is so strongly distorted that the selected starting positions or target positions are shifted to the other positions. In other words, the integrated map representation in both extreme positions (ie the geographic map is rectified and the schematic map is distorted, and vice versa) both map representations displayed (at least partially) together.

Data of the geographical map representation and of the schematic map representation are preferably available as vector data (eg in one or more formats selected from US census Tiger Data Format, OSM Data, openstreetmap OSM, XML or similar formats), the vector data correspondingly being stored in a storage device (eg Database) stored or stored and accessible via the process. This not only ensures a graphic quality at different magnification levels and / or different degrees of distortion, but also a selection of displayed information and / or elements of the geographical and / or schematic representation in the integrated representation, for example with respect to a degree of detail and / or a (semantic) zoom factor allows. This allows a representation of cartographic entities adapted to distortion / equalization, magnification, level of detail, and / or zoom factor. For example, in a distorted representation of the schematic map, subway lines can still be displayed and / or displayed in the style of the schematic representation. In other words, a strict separation of the vector data underlying the geographical and the schematic map representation from its graphical representation as geographical and schematic map representation (s) takes place, ie the vector data and / or serve as input for the representation (in particular exclusively) corresponding meta-information or metadata that can be correspondingly implemented in the graphical representation, while a graphical representation of these data are in particular not entered, but (especially exclusively) are calculated, situationally or in an interactive manner.

Accordingly, schematic map representations are supplemented by geographic map representations, where the geographic map representation is appropriately distorted using appropriate image warping techniques. For this purpose, both in the schematic map display and in the geographical map display, a set of corresponding (discrete) points are used as control points or reference points for a distortion algorithm (in particular a suitable image warping method in combination with a suitable method for controlling overlaps in image warping). selected. The control points represent in the respective map representations geographical entities such as subway stations, railway stations, signal boxes, water or power plants or distributors, public facilities and / or squares, roads and / or intersections. The image warping method with Overlap control applied to the corresponding home and target positions, a continuous and interpolating mapping function that does not create overlaps is calculated. This function can now be applied to the schematic map display and / or the geographical map display, wherein the selected positions in the respective map representations are then mapped corresponding to the corresponding in the other map representation and all intervening points are continuously distributed between these positions. By interpolating the mapping function, any distortion factor (from a purely schematic map representation to a purely geographical map representation) can be selected for the integrated map. Consequently, the integrated map display can be adjusted according to the application in a degree of distortion (automatically by means of GPS and / or user-defined). In other words, a schematic map is annotated with additional data and / or information from a corresponding geographic map without changing the design of the schematic map. Consequently, the opposite is done for annotating a geographic map with schematic data and / or information. In the latter method, the schematic map is adapted to the geographical. According to the invention, however, the geographical map is adapted by deformation of the schematic map. By using the interpolating (and continuous) mapping function, distortion of the schematic map towards the geographic but still possible. Consequently, an integrated map display is generated and / or displayed on a display, the integrated map display comprising a dynamic and / or interactive display, which integrates two map modes optimized for different usage modes (in particular a geographic map display and a schematic map display). The various usage modes relate for example to characteristics of geographical map representations and / or schematic map representations. For example, geographic maps are useful for navigating on foot or by car in a city. Schematic representations are useful, for example, to obtain an overview of a public transport network, or to use this.

Accordingly, the dynamically or interactively integrated card increases the usability of schematic map representations and geographical map representations by merging two different navigation levels. Such an integrated map display is v. A. suitable for use in small mobile devices (eg mobile phone, PDA). The inetgrated map display can be interpolated dynamically (linearly) between the purely geographical map display and the schematic map display. A compromise between these two maps is possible.

As a result, such an integrated map display is better for a user understandable, since it can be displayed both levels of navigation (that of the schematic map display and the geographical map representation) together in a suitable degree of distortion (ie geographical or schematic). In addition, he can choose any other degree of distortion for the integrated map display. Consequently, an interaction of the user with a terminal for displaying the integrated map display is also simplified. In particular, the integrated map display can also be (automatically) better adapted to the technical conditions of a (mobile) terminal, such as resolution, size, color options, etc. of a display of the terminal.

Because fitting a geographic map to a corresponding schematic map is a technically difficult problem, especially because there are no spacing relations in the schematic map, extrapolation according to the distortion caused by the schematic map of geographic points is advantageous.

Preferably, the step of displaying an integrated map representation comprises:

Display of the dynamically or interactively integrated map display, by applying a zoom function coupled with the mapping function on the geographical map display and / or the schematic map display.

Further preferably, the step of applying a zoom function coupled with the mapping function comprises: dynamically interpolating between the geographic map representation and the schematic map representation by applying the mapping function while using the zoom function, leaving a center of the integrated map representation at a constant display position, the interpolation being preferred is linear.

By coupling a zoom function and an interpolating mapping function for cartographic data (schematic data and / or geographic data), a dynamic interactive integrated map is generated, which is suitable for various navigation needs as well as for display on terminals with small displays or screens.

Further preferably, the method comprises: displaying the dynamically or interactively integrated map representation by

Application of the mapping function coupled with a magnification function, which is applicable to a section of the integrated map display.

Accordingly, a portion of the integrated map representation may be enlarged, leaving (essentially) the remainder of the integrated map representation unchanged. Consequently, the behaves the

Magnification, for example, to a reference point similar to a lens or

Lupe. Is for example in the integrated map representation the geographical

Map distorted and the schematic map not distorted (or substantially equalized) shown, so are in an enlarged section of the geographical

Elements of equalized and schematic elements are shown correspondingly more distorted. Consequently, the geographic map representation becomes local (in one

Section) by the magnification function or lens function (at least partially) equalized. If this magnification function is coupled with the imaging function (or warping function), a warping

Lent (warping lense) spoken.

Further preferably, the process comprises:

Calculating a selection and / or resolution level of detail (in particular with respect to a semantic zoom and / or a geometric zoom) for the integrated map representation as a function of an output device and / or the degree of distortion.

Accordingly, a level of detail can be established with respect to a selection of information and / or elements such as cartographic entities and / or a resolution of the integrated map, such as a size of a selected region. This can be done, for example, via a cursor and / or controls on an output device by a user.

Depending on a display size of an output device and / or the degree of distortion selected, a level of detail defining a possible limit to which a particular amount of geographic detail information (e.g., cartographic entities) is still suitably displayed can be specified.

Application of the mapping function (preferably by dynamic linear interpolation between the two map representations) coupled with the selection and / or resolution detail level and / or the magnification function as a function of a geographic position and / or a movement of a user.

Accordingly, for the integrated map display (automatically) based on the geographical position and / or a movement (in particular a speed with which a user moves), a selection and / or resolution level of detail and / or a magnification function for a particular section or section the integrated map display are selected. For example, in an integrated map, while driving on a freeway (eg, highway), in particular, an appropriate freeway network is (at least partially) illustrated schematically (ie, geographic elements are distorted) while, as the motion slows down, for example, when the freeway is exited , an enlarged and geographically less distorted integrated map is displayed which includes more geographic details (eg, cartographic entities).

The geographical position can be determined, for example, by means of a geographical positioning system such as GPS (automatic) by a (mobile) output device used. Further preferably, the process comprises:

Calculating and displaying distance information (or relations) in the integrated map representation.

Further preferably, the step of calculating and presenting distance information in the integrated map representation comprises:

Distorting a regular grid while applying the mapping function to the geographic map representation by applying the mapping function to one or more grid points of the grid; and

Representing the distance information through isolines in the integrated

Map display by calculating a distance from each of the

Grid points to a corresponding next geographic positions in the geographical map representation and applying the warping method to the distorted grid.

Because a schematic map does not contain (geographically exact) distance information as well as an integrated map representation that is skewed towards the schematic map, it may be advantageous to incorporate this useful feature of geographic map representations into the integrated map display. This is preferably achieved by an extrapolation of the deformations or distortions which arise through the schematization with respect to the starting positions of the geographical map representation. For this purpose, in addition to the geographic map display, a regular grid is appropriately distorted by the warping method used and distances between the distorted grid points and the home positions are calculated, which then, by applying the warping method, yields isolines in the (distorted) integrated map representation showing the distances between the distorted positions and the corresponding home positions.

According to the invention, there is further a system for dynamic integration of a geographic map representation and a schematic map representation, the system comprising: a memory device configured to store a geographic map representation having one or more home positions associated with one or more target locations in a schematic map representation; a data processing device configured to calculate an interpolating and continuous mapping function by applying a warping method to the starting position (s) and the target position (s) (as reference points) associated with a method of overlap control ; and a display configured to display a dynamically or interactively integrated map display (preferably to represent a dynamic or interactive map integrating two maps optimized for different usage modes, the optimized maps comprising the geographic map representation and the schematic map representation) by dynamically applying the mapping function to the geographic map representation and / or the schematic map representation (preferably by dynamic linear interpolation between the two map representations) so that the particular map representation is distorted according to a selected distortion factor, the integrated map representation including at least elements independent of the selected distortion factor and / or parts of both the geographic map representation and the schematic map representation.

A further aspect of the present invention relates to a computer program product, in particular stored on a computer readable medium or realized as a signal, which, when loaded into the memory of a computer or a computer network and executed by a computer or a computer network, causes the computer or the computer network performs a method according to the invention or a preferred embodiment thereof. According to the invention, a display or display of an integrated map display is also provided as dynamic integration of a geographical map display and a schematic map display, wherein: the dynamically or interactively integrated map display is displayed by dynamically applying a mapping function to a geographic map display (10) with one or more a plurality of home positions associated with one or more target positions in a schematic map representation and / or the schematic map representation (preferably by dynamic linear interpolation between the two map views) such that the respective map representation is distorted in accordance with a selected distortion factor, the interpolating and continuous mapping function a warping processing using the home positions and the destination positions as reference points associated with an overlap ko irrespective of the selected distortion factor comprises at least elements and / or parts of both the geographic map representation and the schematic map representation.

Preferred embodiments will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is noted that even if embodiments are described separately, individual features thereof may be combined to form additional embodiments.

It shows:

Figure 1A is an exemplary geographical map of the city of Washington with geographical locations of metro stations of the city.

FIG. 1B shows an exemplary schematic map of the Washington subway network with schematic locations from the urban subway stations. Figure 1 C is an exemplary annotated schematic map of the metro network of the city of Washington with correspondingly distorted geographical data of the map shown in Figure 1A.

Figure 2A is an exemplary grid which is not distorted and includes fixed control point.

FIG. 2B shows a 2D image with overlaps, which was generated by applying a moving least squares (MLS) method to the exemplary grid of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 2C shows a further image, which was generated by scaling the illustration from FIG. 2B.

FIG. 2D is an overlap-free map generated by iteratively applying the mapping functions and concatenation of these functions used in FIGS. 2B and 2C.

Figure 3A is an exemplary geographical map of the city of Washington.

Figure 3B is an exemplary distorted and / or deformed geographic map of the city of Washington adapted to a corresponding schematic map.

Figure 3C illustrates an exemplary distorted and / or deformed geographic map of the city of Washington adapted to a corresponding schematic map, wherein two sections are magnified by a lens so that the geographic map is equalized and the schematic map is distorted.

Figure 3D is an exemplary geographical map of the city of Boston.

FIG. 3E shows an exemplary distorted and / or deformed geographical map of the City of Boston, which is adapted to a corresponding schematic map.

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary application of a warping zoom between a schematic map and a (corresponding) geographic map.

FIG. 5 shows a distortion and / or deformation of a regular grating.

Figure 6 is an annotated schematic map which additionally includes isolines.

Figure 7 is a block diagram of a technical construction of a computer and a (computer) network.

The following terms are used in the present description and are defined in particular essentially as follows:

geographical maps (representations):

Geographic maps or map representations include, for example, city maps, maps and road maps, as used for example in navigation systems in particular for (small) mobile terminals (eg PDAs, mobile phones). Such geographical maps are as little distorted as possible (or deformed or distorted) and / or compressed or stretched, ie they represent the real world geometrically on a much smaller scale (essentially) as accurately as possible (especially with regard to the technical Properties of the display means used or display), so that, for example, roads and rivers have the same curvatures as in the real world. Although annotations such as the width of a street or the structure of a subway station are usually alienated, distances and angles between such geographical and cartographic entities correspond to those of the real world. For example, if a road in the real world is 3.76 km long, then it has a correspondingly exact reduction in length on a geographic map. Geographic maps include a wealth of detailed information (eg, road networks, landmarks, commonly known as landmarks, public buildings and facilities, topographical features, rivers, lakes, etc). Accordingly, geographic maps represent or depict excerpts from the real world.

schematic maps (representations) or plans or networks:

Schematic maps or networks (eg networks of a public transport network of a city, railway lines, interlocking plans, plans for power lines and substations, line plans, such as water and sewerage) or schematic map representations show clearly and simply, so schematically, only for the corresponding network necessary or advantageous information, eg Points and different colored connecting lines between the points, for example, the points represent stops in a traffic network and the different colored lines, for example, different subway, S-Bahn, tram and / or bus lines. In contrast to geographic maps, a schematic map generally omits a complete representation of the physical geographic environment. Accordingly, schematic maps represent only a single aspect of the real world. These aspects relate both to the thematic content (e.g., subway stations and lines) and to the ordering of such cartographic entities (such as straight lines alone or obtaining the relation "north of" but not "northeast of"). The arrangement of the cartographic entities can usually no longer be described using cartographic rules, because it is no longer a matter of uniform mapping, but rather of interlinking different principles. In particular, distances, relations, courses of distances and angles usually do not coincide (at least in part) with those of the real world. Schematic maps can be created or generated either manually or electronically.

Referring to FIGS. 1A-1C, a computerized method and system and a corresponding computer program product and display are shown on the basis of a geographical map 10 and a schematic map 20. Described which overlays the schematic map or map representation 20, with geographic data of the corresponding geographical map or map representation 10 (dynamically) or supplemented or annotated to a correspondingly geographic annotated schematic map or (interactive or situational or depending on the situation or condition) integrated map or map display 30, ie a supplemented with geographic data schematic map to obtain. In particular, in the integrated card 30, the schematic character of the schematic card 20 is obtained. Accordingly, the schematic map 20 is not adapted to the geographic map 10, but the geographic map 10 is distorted to fit the schematic map 20. Distorting the geographic maps 10 involves computer-aided deforming, alienation, upsetting, and / or stretching of (two-dimensional) geographic data so that they no longer represent an image of a portion of the real world. Preferably, to warp the geographic map, image warping techniques are implemented, particularly in conjunction with techniques for avoiding warping overlaps.

Both the schematic card 20 and the geographic map 10 are in electrical or electronic form and may be displayed on a display of a (mobile) terminal (e.g., computer, notebook, mobile phone, PDA). An annotation of the schematic map 20 with corresponding geographic data is done by adjusting or distorting the geographic map 10 using a suitable image warping technique (German: image or graphics deformation or distortion technique). In the field of computer graphics, image warping is one of the image-based techniques on the schematic map 20. If, for example, there is an associated depth value for an electronic image, it is possible by means of warping to change the image so that it can be viewed from another point of view . becomes visible.

While schematic maps 20 are adapted to schematically represent cartographic entities 21-29, such as information about Connections 22, 24, 26, 28 and ports 21, 23, 25, 27, 29 in a public transport network, comprise neither geographically correct (ie real world) information about such cartographic entities 21-29 as few or even no information about geographically correct details such as roads and intersections describing, for example, the (real) environment of a subway station on a reduced scale. An essential feature of a schematic map 20 is that distances between points 21, 23, 25, 27, 29 (eg subway stations), for example, do not correspond to the geographically real distances. In order to enrich such a schematic map 20 with corresponding geographic data of a geographic map 10, the geographic map 10 is warped, compressed and / or stretched by warping techniques.

In other words, to eliminate the aforementioned drawbacks of a schematic map 20, it is annotated with a correspondingly distorted geographic map 10. Accordingly, one obtains a geographically annotated schematic

Card or integrated card 30, which has both the characteristics of a schematic

Map 20 as well as the characteristics of a corresponding geographical map 10 integrated so that by means of such an integrated map 30 both schematic map data and geographical map data user-friendly and easily retrieved and / or dynamically (or situationally) by means of automatic

Position determination (for example by means of GPS, cell detection of a mobile phone or the like) via a used (mobile) terminal (mobile phone, PDA) can be calculated. Thus, two different navigation planes describing a geographic area such as a city by various aspects (e.g., subway travel, walking from a metro station to a museum) are automatically dynamically connected.

In particular, integrated map 30 does not simply overlay or overlay a geographic map 10 with a schematic map 20, but at least portions of both maps remain rather (side by side) in the integrated map, and also at each selected degree of distortion, which is selectable between a pure geographical map display and a pure schematic map display, visible or are displayed on a display. In other words, unlike a pure cross-fade of the two map representations, in which a purely schematic representation indicates only the schematic map 20 and in which a purely geographical representation indicates only the geographical map 10, both maps are also in these two extreme cases of distortion visible, noticeable. Consequently, the integrated card 30 merges both cards into one another, wherein a continuous, (preferably substantially linear) interpolating and thus bidirectional mapping of the two cards 10, 20 dynamically into one another in the integrated card 30 by a distortion algorithm used (in particular warping with overlap control) he follows.

Vector data and / or meta information describing the corresponding geographical area (eg a city space) and in particular in a description language are preferably used as the basis for producing the integrated map 30 a combination of these). The vector data and / or meta information can have corresponding information or points corresponding to boundary points of roads, buildings, parks, and / or waters and / or subway stations. For at least a part, preferably substantially all elements or points, their respective geographical position (corresponding to the position in the geographical map 10) is stored in a database. In addition to these point data, there are advantageously also connection information indicating which points are connected to each other (e.g., streets, polygon contours, connecting lines between subway stations). In addition, type designations for roads and / or polygons may be included (as meta-information). Such a data record could already be drawn as a geographical map (for example as a road map).

Here, the preferred use of vector data (eg xml, US census Tiger Data, openstreetmap osm, or the like) offers advantages over pixel data (jpg, gif, png, or the like), in particular with regard to situational adaptation of the map or map display.

One advantage can be that data present as vector data can be drawn or displayed at any desired high resolution: If the presentation or viewing parameters are changed (eg magnification factor / reduction factor and / or displacement vector, for example by mouse interaction of the user and / or situationally, for example, depending on the position determined by means of GPS), the position data can be transformed on the basis of these parameters (ie the positions of the points and thus also the distances between them can be recalculated). At the next image refresh, the points of the database can be drawn or displayed together with their connecting lines at their newly calculated positions. Therefore, the resulting representation is easier to calculate, and in particular enables or facilitates their calculation by less powerful processors.

Another advantage may be that details can be faded in or out (i.e., a so-called "level-of-detail" can be changed): The vector data can be filtered, i. It is possible to specify which streets or places of which type should be displayed. For example, it can be determined from which reduction factor only highways, waters and parks are to be drawn or displayed.

For the creation of the integrated (preferably dynamically interactive or situationally variable) card 30 (in particular with integrated warping zoom), the above-described data record can be supplemented to the effect that for points on or elements of the schematic map 20 (eg for each subway station) additionally an alternative position is stored or calculated (so-called "schematic position"), which corresponds to the position of the element in the schematic map 20. If the elements (eg, the subway stations) at their "schematic" positions (preferably together with their connecting lines) get the schematic map 20, for example, although a geographically incorrect for but easy readable layout of the subway network.

The resulting map (integrated map 30) to be calculated can be generated or calculated from the database and its continuously adaptable graphical representation (in particular taking into account viewing parameters, level-of-detail and / or layout). In this case, relevant view parameters can be an enlargement or reduction factor and / or a translation or displacement vector, so that by changing the view parameters, a focusing of the user on situationally relevant content is possible, resulting in a better readability for the user or an improved User / machine interface and interaction is enabled. Furthermore, view parameters can be controlled interactively or situationally. Furthermore, a selective representation of situationally relevant locations and / or location relations is possible, as a result of which the level of detail can be interactively / situationally controllable. In addition, a readable layout of the situationally relevant location relations is advantageously possible, as a result of which the layout can be interactively / situationally controllable.

Thus, in a preprocessing step (ie independent of the runtime), the database can be supplemented in the form that two positions exist in the database for at least a portion (preferably substantially all) of the relevant or to-be-displayed points (eg of all subway stations) or a position corresponding to the geographical map 10 and a position corresponding to the schematic map 20. In particular, for the subway stations already in the "original" database two positions (geographic and "schematic" position) are stored, but have the Remaining points usually only initially about a geographical position (ie, a position in the geographical map 10). In this regard, by applying a warping method (in particular the warping method described in more detail below), the missing "schematic" positions (ie, positions in the schematic map 20) of at least a part, preferably of substantially all other points, may be calculated and included in the database be stored. Accordingly, (especially after the preprocessing step) in the Data base for the corresponding (in particular all) points each two positions (ie, a geographical and a "schematic" position) to be stored. If the points are displayed or displayed at their geographical positions (in particular together with their connections), the information that the user needs situationally as a pedestrian, for example, is so routed that they are easier to read or understand for this situation. If, however, the points are displayed or displayed at their "schematic" positions (in particular together with their connections), the information that the user needs situationally as a subway driver, for example, is laid out so that they are easier to read or understand for this situation are.

An advantage of the method can be seen in that it allows linear interpolation between the schematic and geographical positions of the points without overlaps occurring. By this linear interpolation between the two positions of each point on the geographic map 10 and the schematic map 20 (or on the integrated map 30), new positions for the points can be calculated. The weighting of the two starting positions for the interpolation can be controlled interactively or situationally. If you draw the points to the newly calculated positions, you get a new map layout. Thus, the resulting interactive map 30 can be easily implemented on low-power mobile terminals, since the complex calculation of the schematic positions preferably already takes place in the preprocessing step. On a mobile terminal is then interpolated at runtime only linearly between the two previously stored positions.

A computer-implemented method, which is preferably implemented for such overlaying of various cards to obtain an integrated card 30, combines an image-shaping method, preferably based on "moving least squares," with a method for Overlap Control in Image Warping. In this way, a readable schematic map 20 (eg network of a public transport network of a city, railway line plan, interlocking plan, plans for power transmission lines and substations, line plans, such as water and sewerage lines), which includes additional geographic data (eg, roads, rivers, parking lots, public buildings) from a corresponding geographic map 10 without affecting the schematic representation of the schematic map 20 or changed. Accordingly, the geographical map 10 was distorted.

In other words, the geographic map 10 is adapted to the schematic map 20 by means of interactive (or situational) distortion (preferably image warping techniques). In addition, in this interactive extrapolation to produce an integrated card 30, a zoom mechanism with an image warping technique, which includes "overlap control" - particularly as described below - preferably via a user-definable map data , and / or from a geographical position-dependent level of detail (or detail level) combined or coupled. The geographical position is automatically calculated or determined, for example, by means of GPS. The thus integrated card 30 enables a user to display comprehensive map data with more or less detailed geographical information on a (mobile) terminal.

By combining or coupling the functions of a distortion, a semantic (or selective) and / or a geometric (or resolution-related) degree of detail and / or an enlargement of a detail, an integrated map representation can automatically be determined as a function of a geographical position and / or a Movement speed to specific geographical conditions, (navigation) requirements and / or capacities of an output device (size of the display, memory, range, degree of resolution) of a user to be optimally adapted.

Thus, in particular the layout or the display (ie the map to be displayed 30) can be adapted to the user's situation at runtime, the situational parameters of the viewing parameters (enlargement / reduction and / or Shift factor), level of detail (so-called "level-of-detail") and geographical or schematic representation (or layout) can be. Due to the fact that vector data are advantageously used as the database, the control of the view parameters and / or the degree of detail can be achieved without problems. Furthermore, the adaptation of the layout (ie, the integrated cards 30) as described above is also easily calculable, with the particular advantage of enabling easy coupling of these situational parameters and their simultaneous control. Thus, a situationally applied layout adaptation (ie a modification of the integrated map 30) can be achieved by coupling the (preferably linear) interpolation (ie transformation of the database) and the change of the view parameters (scaling factor, displacement) and / or content selection (detail level). of detail). This is all the more advantageous as a situation that requires an overview map will generally have less space to show all the details. Furthermore, there are applications or situations in which a completely different information content (eg a different traffic network) is interesting in the overview mode. This circumstance can be taken into account in the description described in that the representation of the combined database can be adapted to the effect that the relevant information is easier to read (so-called "warping zoom"), wherein the adaptation interactively controlled by the user and / or automatically can be. In the case of automatic control, the layout and / or view parameters can be derived, for example, from the speed, acceleration, position and / or orientation of the user.

Thus, with zooming-in warping (warping zoom), an integrated card 30 is less warped or distorted the more the integrated card 30 is zoomed (ie, enlarged).

Accordingly, an integrated map 30 is generated that contains both schematic data of cartographic entities, such as points and

Connecting lines, as well as corresponding or corresponding geographical

Data, such as detailed street information, public buildings, Parking spaces, etc. included. Preferably, the integrated card 30 is generated by applying warping techniques to a geographic map 10 so that this geographic map 10 is adapted to a schematic map 20 by distortion. Even in "extreme positions" (ie both in a purely schematic representation and in a purely geographical representation of the integrated map 30), respective parts and / or elements (eg specific cartographic entities) of both maps are included and / or displayed. For such a distortion an imaging function or image from the field of electronic or computer-assisted image distortion (in particular warping) is used, which is particularly suitable for mapping geographical data. In addition, a warping zoom may be implemented for such an integrated map 30, which together allows a dynamic, interactive map display of geographic and schematic data that is useful both for navigation at the geographic detail level (eg, roads) and in networks (eg, public transportation plan). suitable is.

For automatically connecting or merging a schematic map 20 with a geographic map 10 in an integrated map 30, starting positions 11, 13, 15, 17, 19 in the geographic map 10 and (corresponding) target positions or point 21, 23, 25, 27, 29 in the schematic map 20 corresponding cartographic entities (eg subway stations, railway stations, gas stations, signal boxes, transhipment plants, sewer exits) used as control points for a warping algorithm with overlap avoidance. For this purpose, the data of both cards 10, 20 in electronic or computer-based form, so that they can be easily processed by a computer. Accordingly, the map data of both cards 10, 20 are stored in a storage device (e.g., database). The map data was previously determined manually and / or automatically and / or detected.

Target positions 21, 23, 25, 27, 29 of a schematic map 20 are, for example, points in a network, such as metro stations and / or others Public transport stops in a network of a public transport network of a city. Starting positions 11, 13, 15, 17, 19 in a corresponding geographical map 10 are geographical entities corresponding to the target positions 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, such as subway stations and / or other public transport stops, as shown in FIG a city map (geographically correct) are drawn.

More precisely, corresponding positions 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19 in the two different map formats 20, 10 are used as control points in an automatic process, in particular a warping technique in the field of image warping used, wherein the positions 11, 13, 15, 17, 19 in the geographical map 10 as starting positions 11, 13, 15, 17, 19 and the positions 21, 23, 25, 27, 29 in the schematic map 20 as target positions in the (automatic) warping method for calculating a mapping function of the geographic map 10 on the schematic map 20 are used. The mapping functions applied to the geographic map 10 shifts the geographically correct starting positions 11, 13, 15, 17, 19 to their respective target positions 21, 23, 25, 27, 29 and distributes (at least part of) the remaining geographic Detailed information of the geographical map 10 between these so shifted positions 21, 23, 25, 27, 29 according to evenly (in particular continuously).

Preferably, for the interactive integration of a schematic map 20 with a geographic map, 10 warping methods from the field of computer-assisted image warping are used. In principle, most warping methods compute the following: Starting from two-dimensional information (eg image data) and a set of control points in this information, a mapping function is calculated which includes these (discrete) control points (eg subway stations 11, 13, 15, 17, 19) in FIG. 1A) from its corresponding starting positions to arbitrarily selected target positions. The mapping function then preferably has one or more of the following properties: (1) The mapping function interpolates, ie the starting positions of the control points are (precisely or precisely) mapped to their corresponding target positions, so that the mapping function describes a continuous mapping of the discrete control points. (2) The mapping is seamless, ie there are no discontinuities (or jumps or gaps) between the control points. In other words, the mapping function is continuous.

(3) The figure does not overlap.

Properties (1) and (2) thus specify that a (continuous) interpolant or interpolant is calculated for the (discrete) control points, ie a continuous function that maps (exactly) the starting positions to the target positions. Consequently, the mapping function is bidirectional, i. to a geographical map and a schematic map representation applicable with any degree of distortion. Thus, an integrated map representation 30 can be skewed (warped) in both directions (geographically and schematically).

In one implementation, a warping method is used which comprises scattered data interpolation and generates a continuously interpolating mapping function. In addition, angles in a distorted map corresponding angles in a geographically correct map remain as similar as possible, so that a shape or shape of the corresponding real cartographic entities (ie, the information contained in the geographical map 10) remains recognizable. In particular, a warp method is accordingly implemented which is based on moving least squares, which interpolates a similarity transformation between corresponding source and destination positions of control points, such as the home positions 11, 13, 15, 17, 19 of the geographical map 10 and the corresponding target positions 21, 23, 25, 27, 29 of the schematic map 20, which contain cartographic entities (ie the information or elements contained in the geographical map 10), in particular U-maps. Railway stations, as Specify control points.

In particular, when using a moving least squares method, angles are less distorted than when a general affine transformation is interpolated. Since a map computed by this method includes overlaps in appropriately distorted two-dimensional data, this "moving least squares" method is combined with a method of overlap control in Warping Image (a so-called "overlap control" method) , Because unlike an analysis and representation of image data distortions, avoiding overlaps when distorting geographic data or information is advantageous because otherwise parts of the data would disappear or are no longer visible in a distorted representation.

Consequently, a representation of a map 30 integrated in this form can be presented to a user in a better and / or more understandable manner and independent of specific technical parameters of an output device used.

Referring to FIGS. 2A to 2D, one possible implementation of a warping method for interactively integrating geographic map data into schematic map data using a combination of "moving

Least Squares "(MLS) Procedure with Overlap Control"

Overlap prevention described for image warping. In one implementation, the control points are cartographic entities (eg subway stations), the starting positions being the real (ie geographically correct positions, eg positions 11, 13, 15, 17, 19 in FIG. 1A) of these cartographic entities in one geographical map 10 (eg a city map of this city) and the

Target positions comprise the corresponding points for the catagonic entities in a schematic map 20 of the public transport of that city (e.g., positions 21, 23, 25, 27, 29 in Figure 1B).

(1) "Moving Least Squares" For one or more starting positions p, their corresponding target positions q and any point v, an optimal affine transformation l _v (x) is calculated, the following sum

Σ> | / _v fo)

is minimized. This method is called "moving least squares" minimization because the weights e, are dependent on the point v:

l

Wl =

Lw, --υv | 2α

The parameter a controls a decay profile for the distance between the initial positions p and the point v, and is preferably greater than 1. In a preferred implementation, an experimental value of 1.5 selected for ä.

Accordingly, such a calculation by shifting least squares in a grid for each individual point v gives its own (possibly different) affine transformation l _v (x). Now, if the allowed transformations on similarity transformations, the following (optimal) mapping function results for the individual points v:

/ _v (x) ₊ q.

Here p "and q * denote the following weighted centroids:

In addition, the following equations apply to the previously introduced definitions:

Pi = P ₁ - P., q, _t = q - q, μ _s = Σ W ₁ p.. pj

where T is an operator that maps a vector (x, y) to (-y, x).

In one implementation, these individual point mapping functions are applied one at a time to control points in a geographic dataset (e.g., a geographic map 10).

Figures 2A and 2B show a simple example of an application of the previously introduced mapping function. Figure 2A shows a (2D) mapping function derived from the previously introduced definitions which is applied to a regular grid. In Figure 2B, overlapping portions of the resulting 2D mapping function are shown after application to the regular grid of Figure 2A.

(2) "overlap control"

Referring to Figures 2C and 2D, a method is described which avoids the overlaps resulting from the previously obtained 2D mapping function. One aspect of the anti-overlapping mapping function is that for any given mapping function (in particular the mapping function described above with reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B, which is based on a moving least squares method), a further mapping function can be derived, which can be obtained by scaling the mapping, ie by interpolation with the identical transformation results. Such a scaling with a scaling factor s yields (in particular for a warping geographical map data) has the following mapping function:

l _s (y _y s) = (1 -s) v + sl _v (v)

Another aspect of such an overlapping-preventing mapping function (s) is that overlaps at each point of a given mapping function (in particular, the mapping function previously described with reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B, which is based on a moving least squares method) occur when the Jacobian determinant changes the sign (that is, from "+" to "-" or vice versa). Consequently, it is advantageous to constrain this determinant J to be at least positive. Since values of the determinant J closer to 0 mean that the map at that point (or point or smallest square) particularly strongly compresses the warped data and / or information, in particular the determinant J is still restricted or subject to others Boundary conditions. In particular, the determinant J is greater than a minimum J _mm .

The determinant J can thus be calculated by estimating estimates of the partial derivative of two points closer to a point v as follows:

(0, <5)) dx dy dy dx

In this estimate, a is worth a little. Then, for a large number of scaling values s with 0 <s <1, it is guaranteed (or essentially guaranteed) that an imaging function resulting from these calculations does not contain any overlaps. In order to find or determine a (ideally) ideal scaling factor s, the following quadratic equation is used:

'- ((4H (3W-'3 & - * -

In other words, the Jacobian determinant J should be equal to the previously defined minimum J _min .

Solving a quadratic equation yields between 0 and 2 intersections (or roots). Because the Jacobian determinant J always equals 1 for a scaling factor s = 0 and becomes smaller than the minimum J _min only at the intersection points, the mapping function is locally free of overlaps or highly compressed for all scaling factors greater than 0 but less than or equal to smallest intersection in the interval between 0 and 1. Accordingly, in order to obtain a (substantially) fast convergence of the Jacobian determinant J to the minimum J _min , for the method for avoiding overlaps in the warping-based mapping function, this intersection point ( or root) as scaling factor. If no such intersection exists, 1 is the preferred scaling factor.

In particular, to determine a globally (substantially) optimal scaling factor, the previously introduced equation of the Jacobian determinant J would have to be calculated for all points used in the mapping function defined with reference to Figs. 2A and 2B. Since such a calculation is not possible for all points (because there are infinitely many such points), the equation for the Jacobian determinant J is solved only for discrete points or positions in a grid. In particular, the equation for the Jacobian determinant J is calculated for (if at all) all (control) points, which are mapped individually by means of the mapping function with respect to FIGS. 2A and 2B. Thus, the global (near) optimal scaling factor is then the minimum of locally optimal scaling factors for each of the individual pictured points.

If now the entire 2D mapping function (which is based in particular on the moving least squares method) is scaled with the scaling factor calculated in this way, a new mapping (or mapping function) is obtained, which in particular does not yet have the properties (1), (2 ), and (3), but still brings the control points closer to their target positions, as shown in Figure 2C.

If the process shown in FIG. 2C is iterated or repeated and these partial images thus obtained are concatenated, the

Control point converge arbitrarily close to their target positions. The disadvantage of such a procedure is that such a convergence is not guaranteed for any case. If the minimum J _{min is} chosen too small, this leads to an unnecessarily high compression. If, on the other hand, the minimum J _{min is} chosen too large, a (comparatively) fast convergence is prevented.

Accordingly, a minimum J _min = 0.5 is preferably selected. In such a

Value for the minimum can be overlaps in a warping based

Mapping function for 2D (geographic) data or information (im

Essentially), and convergence of the control points to their target points is typically achieved within 5 to 15 iterations of the method described above. A result of such

Iteration for the regular grid of Figure 2A is shown in Figure 2D.

In a particular implementation of a system and method for generating a combined schematic and geographical map, a schematic map 20 of a public transport network which is in electronic form is used. The schematic card 20 comprises one or more positions or control points 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, which describe, for example, subway stations, as shown in FIG. 1B.

For geographic information presented in a geographic map 10, US Census TIGER map data may be used. It however, other data (or data from other databases or sources) about geographic information may also be used. The particular data used (eg, the US Census TIGER map data) includes computer-based vector data that depicts detailed street information, commonly referred to as landmarks, such as public facilities, gas stations, public parks, water areas, airports, train stations, etc. represent. Vector data are well-suited for displaying geographic information in a display of a (mobile) terminal (eg mobile telephone, PDA, notebook), in particular because they are scalable. Furthermore, vector data are suitable for transforming a topography, for example independently of symbolic or text markings, in order to achieve better readability of data and / or information.

As a basis of the calculations, vector data and / or meta information, e.g. describing the urban space and in a description language (conceivable are US census Tiger Data Format, OSM Data, XML and / or similar formats). Advantageously included are outline points of elements (e.g., streets, buildings, parks, and / or waters) contained therein, as well as one or more elements of at least one schematically represented entity (e.g., points for suburban train and metro stations). For at least a part of the points or for all points, preferably their respective geographical position is stored or provided in the database. In addition to these point data, connection information is advantageously present which indicates which points are connected to one another (streets, polygon contours, connecting lines between subway stations and / or the like). In addition, type designations for elements (e.g., roads, traverses, etc.) may be included as meta-information.

In this context, vector data (eg, xml, US census Tiger Data, openstreetmap osm, or combinations thereof) over pixel data (eg, .jpg, .gif, .png, .oa) are advantageous in that vector data, particularly with respect to can be displayed for a situational adaptation of a map in any desired high resolution, so that in the case of a change of the view parameters (in particular magnification / reduction factor and / or displacement vector, eg by user input, for example by mouse interaction) the position data can be transformed based on these parameters, ie the positions of the points and thus also the distances between them can be recalculated so that (eg at a next image refresh) the points of the database can be displayed together with their connecting lines at their newly calculated positions. In addition, details can be shown or hidden (ie a level of detail or level of detail can be changed). In this context, the vector data can be filtered or selected situationally or interactively (eg it can be specifically determined which streets or places of which type are to be displayed so that, for example, it can be determined from which reduction factor only highways, waters and parks are to be drawn). Furthermore, in particular for the creation of the integrated dynamically interactive map (preferably with integrated warping zoom), the data set described above can be supplemented, eg an alternative position (so-called "schematic position") can be stored or provided for each element (eg subway station) , If one draws the elements (eg the subway stations) at their "schematic" positions, in particular together with their connecting lines, one obtains a geographically incorrect but easily readable representation or a schematic map 20 (eg a layout of the subway network similar to a conventional schematic subway network layout ).

Such geographical data, which are in the form of vector data, are annotated or supplemented with data and / or information corresponding to the positions 21, 23, 25, 27, 29 in the schematic map 20, for example the geographical positions 11, 13 , 15, 17, 19 correspond to the subway stations as shown in Fig. 1A. Such an annotation can be done manually or automatically. For this purpose, the corresponding information from other publicly available sources, such as Google Maps, downloaded or inserted. FIG. 1A shows one with the schematic positions 21, 23, 25, 27, 29 corresponding geographic positions 11, 13, 15, 17, 19 annotated geographic map 10.

Before the geographic map 10 is warped by means of a warp-based method which avoids overlaps (in particular the method previously described with reference to FIGS. 2A to 2D), long lines in the geographic output data of the map 10 are selected to be sufficiently fine or thin, so that artifacts can be avoided when displaying the lines and intervening polygons. Moreover, such modification of long straight lines is also advantageous because lines are plotted on curves even though the map (s) described with reference to Figs. 2A to 2D is continuous. In particular, mapping only the start and end points of a line and then a straight connection between the two pixels in a distorted map would not result in the fundamental result of continuously distorted curves. Such modification of long, straight lines in the geographic output data of the card 10 is called partitioning. Prior to application of the warp-based mapping function with overlap control or avoidance, the geographic map 10 neither generates a grid with a fixed number of cells, nor does the data of the map 10 be rasterized.

In one implementation, the warp-based overlap-control method as described with reference to FIGS. 2A to 2D is applied to the geographic map 10. Here, the geographical positions (or home positions) 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, which serve as control points in the automatic warping method, become the corresponding schematic positions (or target positions) 21 , 23, 25, 27, 29 shown. In this case, as described above, local overlaps are calculated out for the control points and these local mapping functions are concatenated. The result is a distorted geographical map 30 which adds schematic data to the schematic map 20 so that both data and / or information (parts or elements) of the schematic Map 20 and the geographic map 10 are included in the integrated card 30.

The warping of the geographic map 10 is (relatively) time consuming, i. usually consumes relatively much computing time or computing power. Advantageously, the warping-based mapping is calculated only once for a set of control points (ie only once for a geographic map 10 and a corresponding schematic map 20). The mapped control points of the geographic map 10 are then stored in a storage device (e.g., database).

The distorted geographic data of the geographic map 10, including lines and polygons, are plotted, for example, by OpenGL and GLUT (eg, on a display of a PDA and / or portable navigation device). This allows the distorted card 30 to be displayed interactively. For example, a user can select interactively by means of a cursor on the display of the integrated card 30 or by using suitable operating elements (eg scrollbar) a picture detail of the card 30 in a degree of distortion suitable for him. As shown in FIG. 1C, the geographical positions of the control points (eg, subway stations) now have the positions corresponding to the schematic positions 21, 23, 25, 27, 29. Thus, the warping method applied to the geographic map 10 generates certain cartographic entities (e.g., metro stations 21, 23, 25, 27, 29 in the schematic map 10 and correspondingly geographically correctly located metro stations 11, 11). 13, 15, 17, 19 in the geographic map 10) serve as control points for the home positions 1 1, 13, 15, 17, 19 and corresponding target positions 21, 23, 25, 27, 29 in the overlap control warping method distorted geographical map 30 in which the positions of the control points lie on those of the target positions 21, 23, 25, 27, 29. In other words, the warping method generates a combined map 30 which includes geographically distorted topological and topographical information such that the schematic map 10 is enriched or distorted with distorted geographic data of the geographic map 20, that is, a geographically annotated schematic map 30 which includes cartographic entities of both maps 10, 20.

By distorting the geographic map 10 by the warping method applied to home and destination positions 11, 13, 15, 17, 19 and 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, a dynamic or interactive (preferred substantially linear) interpolation of the mapping between a (as accurate as possible) geographical map 10 and a correspondingly distorted on a schematic map 20 geographical map 30 up to the schematic map 20 itself allows. In other words, dynamic interpolation between geographic information and its schematization is supported. Accordingly, placement in a convex combination of geographical positions 11, 13, 15, 17, 19 and their corresponding positions 21, 23, 24, 25, 27, 29 in a schematic map 20 results in a compromise between geography and schema. Such a compromise allows better understanding of both cards 10, 20 together for one user. By means of the preferably linear interpolation between the schematic and the geographical positions of the points, and without overlaps occurring, it is possible to calculate new positions for the points or elements between the two positions (geographical position and schematic position) of each point or element , Here, the weighting of the two output positions for the interpolation can be interactively controlled or adjusted. By displaying the points at the newly calculated positions, a new map layout is obtained (interactive map 30). The ability to interpolate linearly is particularly advantageous because the resulting interactive map can be implemented on low-power mobile devices. Since the complicated calculation of the schematic positions can already take place in the preprocessing step, only a (linear) interpolation between the two previously stored positions is performed on a mobile terminal at runtime.

Accordingly, a sliding transition between schematic maps 10, which are suitable for navigation in line systems (eg, a transport network such as a metro network) and geographic map 20, which are more suitable for navigating at local places (eg, in a city), achieved in a single combined map 30 which can be interpolated dynamically between these two map representations, both maps 10, 20 always being at least partially included in the combined or integrated map 30.

Such combined cards 30 can be used in many ways:

1) On large static cards, e.g. At a subway station, detailed geographic information can be added in a schematic map for this

Station are displayed.

2) A static overview of an integrated map 30, which includes some annotations of a schematic map, for example, through large streets and some (essentially) important landmarks and thus is still suitable for a rough orientation.

3) In an interactive or dynamic application, a combined card 30 is stored in a (mobile) terminal (e.g., cellular phone, PDA) and displayed, for example, by OpenGL and / or GLUT on a display of the terminal.

FIGS. 3A through 3E show further examples of a geographic non-distorted integrated map 50, 70 (as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3D) and map 60, 80 correspondingly delineated on a network map (as in FIG. 3B and 3E). In the integrated maps 60, 80, in which geographical elements are shown distorted, it becomes clear that the respective center is more strongly enlarged than the periphery. It can be seen that the warping method with overlap control or avoidance applied to the geographic maps 50, 70, areas around the control points or reference points (ie, starting and ending positions 51, 53 and 61, 63 and 71 , 73, 75 and 81, 83, 85) are (relatively) distorted relatively little while areas between the control points are relatively more distorted. Figure 3C shows an integrated map 60 in which geographical elements are distorted and schematic elements are shown as equalized (ie, home positions of geographical representation 51, 53, 55, 57 are shifted to target positions 61, 63, 65, 67 in a schematic representation and the remaining points evenly distributed therebetween by means of the above-described mapping function). In addition, FIG. 3C shows a coupling of the imaging function with a magnification function (lens function). The magnification function is applicable to a single area or cutout 52, 54 of the integrated map display. For example, an area 52, 54 is enlarged by a reference point 55, 57 (for example, a subway station). By applying the magnification function to this section 52, 54, the containing geographical elements are displayed in an equalized manner and the schematic element is correspondingly distorted (so-called warping-lense).

Advantageously, an integrated representation with individual enlarged areas or cutouts 52, 54, for example, in order to have an overview of a public transport network, wherein an environment 52 of a start position 55 (eg the subway station from which a user would like to depart) and simultaneously equalizes an environment 54 of an end position 57 (eg, the subway station the user wishes to reach), ie geographically correct, is shown in the integrated map 60. For example, such a start position 55 and / or target position 57 (ie, a reference point) can be determined for an increase from a route calculation and / or a GPS position determined geographic position. Such a reference point may also be a position, for example, near a stop.

Accordingly, in enlarged area 52, 54, an enlarged, geographic representation of the otherwise geographically distorted integrated map 60 is shown, and outside area 52, 54, a schematic map distorted according to a schematic representation is shown. A center, a radius, a shape or a shape, and / or a Distortion degree (or equalization degree) for an area or section of the integrated representation 60 are user-definable and / or can be coupled to other states (eg, capacities of an output device, geographical position of a user) and / or interactively or dynamically changed. In one implementation, an improved transition between an enlarged area 52, 54 and the rest of the representation 60 may also be created. For example, a portion of the integrated card 60 may be placed in the background by an enlargement 52, 54.

In one implementation, a warping-based map of a geographic map 10 additionally computes a level of detail for the geographic data. As previously described with reference to FIGS. 2A to 2D, during an iterative mapping of control points for each control point, a partially derived function (partial derivative) at this point is estimated for overlap control. This estimation is also used for a degree of detail control because the Jacobian determinant J defines a local areal magnification and the minimum J _{mm is} proportional to the local compression. Consequently, the local compression can also be calculated from this estimate.

Thus, according to an exemplary embodiment, in addition to the mere fading out of selected or selectable elements (eg points of certain street or landmark types), another representation in different levels of detail (level-of-detail) is also possible, the local distortion and / or can account for magnification effects that occur through layout customization (particularly in integrated card 30), which advantageously can prevent overpainting with too much detail but at the same time render as much recognizable detail as possible, particularly with rendered pixel maps in usually not possible. The recognizability / the required degree of detail depend thereby advantageously on the local magnification, whereby this magnification is not just a factor in particular ie one-dimensional, but two-dimensional (ie the distorted information may be compressed, ie have different magnification factors depending on the direction). Accordingly, the degree of detail is particularly dependent on the area increase and the compression factor, which can be determined by the approximations of the partial derivatives.

Furthermore, in order to adjust the level of detail in rendering, the thickness d of the lines in the vector data may be changed, in particular as follows:

d = f ^ level enlargement) + f ₂ (1 / compression factor)

fi and f ₂ are in particular empirically determined functions which depend on the display size, display resolution and / or a desired "density" of the representation. In the simplest case, the functions may be linear functions having constant parameters (for example f-ι (Ebenenvergösserung) = F ^* _1- -ι Ebenenvergösserung Fi + _-2 constant values _Fi-1 and _Fi-2).

In addition, the thickness of linear cartographic entities (e.g., lines, symbols) is changed directly in proportion to the local area magnification and inversely proportional to their local compression. Consequently, a density of individual cartographic entities is (substantially) evenly distributed throughout the entire (deformed and / or distorted map).

In one implementation, a zooming technique for a combined card 30 is additionally implemented. This zoom technique couples a scaling of a

Point of view in the combined map or map display 30 with a

(dynamic) transition between the underlying geographical map or map display 10 and the corresponding schematic map or map

Map display 20. Accordingly, during zooming, interpolated between the distorted map 30 and the geographic map 10 and (in

Essentially) at the same time the map is transformed (or zoomed) such that a

Center of the card 30 remains at a constant positions of a screen. This method, which combines warping and zooming, is called warping zoom and is shown in FIG.

The (preferably linear) interpolation between the two layouts i. between the geographic map 10 and the schematic map 20 (in particular, the interpolation between the geographic and "schematic" positions of all points) allows for continuous map animation that preserves both the index and the context: the focussed point (mostly location the user) remains preferred during the entire animation or change in a predetermined position (eg, substantially in the center) of the display, so that the user does not have to re-locate himself on the map, if he situational changes the card layout. This results in a more intuitive and better readability of the ad. Furthermore, the context information can also be preserved, since the surrounding locations are moved, but the embedding of the focused point in the network preferably does not change. Thus, it is not necessary for a user to redetermine his orientation with respect to the new layout (eg, in the case of switching from geographic layout ie geographic map 10 to schematic subway layout as an example of schematic map 20, a user will immediately recognize at which station he is and in which direction he has to drive).

Furthermore, the "intermediate layouts" (ie, an interpolated state between geographic and "schematic" position of the points) may be useful to support more complex navigation tasks. For example, suppose the user is at his starting address as a pedestrian and wants to find a specific destination address. In the first step, the user can first select the subway station closest to the starting address as the starting station. Then he can search for the destination address on the map and select the nearest station as the destination station. Now the user can zoom out and plan or select a route between the two selected stations. If there is no direct route (eg no route without time-consuming change), the user can search for more direct connections connecting the approximate starting area with the connect approximate target area. If the user has found such a favorable connection, he can again zoom in on the representation until he can find the starting address just so in the distorted road network. Subsequently, the user can center the card at the start address and zoom out until a station of the lower-cost connection moves into the display. Based on this layout, the user can now estimate advantageous or recognize whether this alternative start station is within a running distance to the start address or not. If the user believes that he has found an alternative, he can zoom in completely and check his estimate as to whether the actual distance is within walking distance. The same procedure can also be applied to the selection of the destination station. Thus, flexible handling of zooming in and out can be used to search for alternative connections and alternative StartV destination stations, making the graphical user interface more intuitive and easier to handle for the user.

A zoom factor describes a ratio between a farthest and a shortest (closest) point. When zooming, only a section of, for example, an integrated map 30 is changed, but not a perspective. Consequently, zooming in and out of a fixed point, such as a center of integrated map 30, on a display (zoomin and zoom out). At a zoom-in, a portion of the integrated card 30 is shown enlarged, e.g. integrated cards 30-4, 30-8. In a zoom-out, a portion of the integrated card 30 is shown reduced in size, e.g. integrated cards 30-7 and 30-1.

An illustration of an integrated map 30 comprises a geographical map representation 10 and a schematic map representation 10 of the same map section, wherein at least one of the two map representations is distorted as a function of a degree of distortion. In an extreme case, the schematic map representation 20 may be (in essence) completely distorted with respect to the geographic representation 10. This extreme case is shown in maps 30-1, 30- 10, 30-9 and 30-8. Thus, the schematic positions 21, 23, 25, 27, 29 are correspondingly mapped to the geographical positions 11, 13, 15, 17, 19 and the points therebetween are distributed continuously according to the mapping function defined above. In another extreme case, the geographic map representation 10 may be (substantially) completely distorted with respect to the schematic representation 20. This extreme case is shown in maps 30-4, 30-5, 30-6 and 30-7. Thus, the geographical positions 11, 13, 15, 17, 19 are then mapped to the schematic positions 21, 23, 25, 27, 29 and the points therebetween are continuously distributed according to the mapping function defined above.

In a distorted representation of the schematic and / or geographic map representations 10, 20 in the integrated card 30, parts and / or elements, e.g. Cartographic entities such as labels, superimposed lines, rivers, streets, public buildings, facilities and / or squares, the geographical map representation 10 and / or the schematic map representation 20 at least partially no longer visible.

In addition to or in combination with a degree of distortion, a zoom factor may be selected for an integrated map display. For the Zommfaktor can a largest zoom-in factor (a maximum magnification) and a largest zoom-out

Factor (maximum reduction) of a portion of the integrated card 30. A combination of warping and zooming of the integrated card 30 allows for greater interactivity with the integrated card 30. Zooming and warping influence each other. The more zoomed in, the less the schematic and / or geographic portion of the integrated card 30 is distorted (or bewaprt), i. the stronger is the integrated one

Card 30 rectified. And the other way round, the more zoomed out, the stronger the schematic and / or geographic portion of the integrated card 30. Distorted, i. the less the integrated card 30 is equalized.

To select a representation of an integrated card 30 with a particular one Distortion degree and a certain zoom factor, such as 30-1 to 30-10, a user can interact interactively with the integrated card. For example, by means of a suitable setting means (eg cursor) on a display of the integrated card 30 and / or one or more operating elements (eg button on the terminal, scroll bar, menu selection integrated into a representation of the integrated card 30), a user can set a zoom factor and / or or choose a degree of distortion.

As shown in FIG. 4, in an illustration of the integrated card, both maps 10, 20 (ie the schematic and the geographical) are at least partially visible in each representation irrespective of the degree of distortion and / or the zoom factor. For example, Fig. 30-1 shows an integrated map 30-1 in which a geographic map 10 has been completely distorted onto a schematic map 20 without zooming in on the map, ie, not just a section in enlarged view. When zooming into the integrated board 30-1, 30-10, 30-9 to 30-8, which is purely schematic (ie, the schematic portion or elements are not distorted), zooming causes the integrated card 30 equalized, ie the schematic and / or geographical portion of the integrated card 30 is shown less distorted. Consequently, a highly zoomed schematic representation (ie, the schematic portion or elements are not distorted) of integrated card 30-8 is less distorted than a little or no zoomed overview of the schematic representation of integrated card 30-1. Integrated cards 30-1, 30-2, 30-3 to 30-4 show a coupled application of a degree of distortion and a zoom factor to the integrated card 30, with the degree of distortion highest in 30-1 and lowest in 30-4. The degree of distortion thus indicates how strongly a geographical representation, which is integrated into the integrated map, has been adapted or distorted to a schematic representation integrated into the map 30. By coupling with a zoom factor, in the greatly enlarged or zoomed integrated map 30-4 into which the geographical representation is not distorted or only slightly distorted by the zoom factor and the schematic representation in the integrated card 30-4 less or not at all more distorted, resulting in an integrated Outline map 30-7, in which the geographical representation is not or hardly distorted, but the case is.

In other words, Figure 4 shows various representations of an integrated card 30 in which either the schematic elements of the card 30-4, 30-5, 30-6, 30-7 are distorted (ie warped), the geographic elements the card 30-8, 30-9, 30-10, 30-1 are distorted (ie gewarpt) and / or both elements of the card 30-2, 30-3, 30-4 distorted or equalized (ie wary) are. In addition to such a degree of distortion, a zoom factor is applicable to the integrated card 30 in combination. A zoom-in is made from an overview map 30-1, 30-7 to a detailed map 30-4, 30-8, possibly additionally selecting a degree of distortion, for example, with respect to the geographical elements of the map 30-2, 30-3. 30-4 shows a geographically equalized, maximally zoomed-in integrated map, in which the schematic map is not or only slightly distorted by the zoom factor. Zoomed out from the integrated card 30-4 without changing a degree of distortion becomes, for example, via cards 30-5, 30-6, in which case the integrated card 30-7 shows a maximally zoomed out integrated card 30-7, the geographical elements of the card 30-7 7 are equalized. Consequently, the schematic elements of the card 30-7 are relatively distorted. If, in addition to zooming out of the integrated map 30-4, a distortion factor of the geographic elements is applied to the integrated map 30-4, via maps 30-3, 30-2, 30-1 an integrated map may be displayed in which the schematic elements are not or hardly distorted and the geographic elements are relatively distorted. Now, when zoomed into this map 30-1, eg via maps 30-10, 30-9, the geographic elements are relatively equalized depending on the distortion factor. The integrated card 30-8 then shows an integrated card 30, in which the schematic elements are hardly or not distorted at all and the geographical elements are relatively strongly equalized depending on the zoom factor. In Map 30-1, on the other hand, the geographical elements are relatively little equalized, that is strongly distorted, depending on a small zoom factor. Consequently, a degree of distortion and a zoom factor of an integrated behave

Card 30 (substantially) inversely proportional to each other. If the zoom factor increases (ie if an image detail is enlarged and thus more detailed) with a constant degree of distortion, then the elements (schematic and / or geographical) shown distorted in the integrated map 30 are in relation to

Zoom factor less distorted so equalized. If the degree of distortion increases (i.e., the geographical elements or the schematic elements become more distorted) with the zooming factor remaining the same, only the distortion or equalization changes accordingly.

As a function of a selected output device (eg mobile telephone, PDA, mobile navigation device) and in particular the size and / or resolution of a display of the output device and / or the size of the integrated card 30 not every representation 30-1 to 30-10 of the integrated card 30 can be made meaningful, a start and / or end value for a scaling factor of the card 30 can be selected. For example, an equalized (geographic) map 30-4 is only shown when zoomed in (ie, more zoomed in), thus indicating, for example, only individual stations. In addition, if a level of detail is selected which indicates how many details of cartographic entities (eg, roads, rivers, public buildings, and / or facilities) are displayed in which accuracy, the integrated map 30 will remain in one representation 30-1 through 30-10 User easy to read and understand. For example, in a rough representation 30-1 of an integrated map 30 that is heavily distorted, only large and / or substantial cartographic entities (e.g., rivers and major roads) of the distorted geographic representation are displayed.

A representation of a combined card 30 with warping zoom, in particular on mobile terminals with a small and / or low-resolution screen, is advantageous. If a user zooms out of the interactive map (into a schematic map with fewer details), he gets a rough overview 30-1 of, for example, a city and its public transport network. Leave the If the public transport system is at a station and wants to reach a location near the station, it can simultaneously zoom in on that station and select a geographic map 30-4 map. Because only individual stations are shown in the zoomed map 30b, the combined map 30b is neither distorted nor shown schematically on the screen.

In one implementation, an initial value and a scaling value for the warping method and / or the warping zoom method are shown as a function of a map to be displayed and / or a screen size. If a suitable level of detail is defined, any change in a distortion and / or zoom factor remains readable and / or representable for a (mobile) terminal.

For example, then a geographic proximity to a metro station or other cartographic entity may be automatically scaled.

Referring to Figs. 5 and 6, a schematic map 10 is annotated with isolines at certain distances from a closest position. In general, isolines are understood to be lines (in geographical or schematic maps) which have a value such that isolines connect places of equal value. The value denotes, for example, a certain distance between two points. Isolines can be calculated by means of interpolation.

As shown in Figure 5, the warping method is then applied to individual grid points 91, 93, 95 so that a distorted grid 90 is calculated as shown in Figure 5. The real (ie, geographically correct) distances from the individual positions to the corresponding next position 101, 103, 105 are displayed in a combined map 100 by first distances from each grid point 91, 93, 95 to the next position 101, 103, 105. Thereafter For example, a "marching square" method is applied to the distorted grating 90 which calculates isolines in the corresponding combined map 100 corresponding to the distances to the nearest station in the real world, as shown in FIG. For example, with the aid of a card annotated in this form 100 a next station to a specific destination can be easily determined.

The described mode of representation (in particular the warping zoom functionality comprising a coupling of the layout interpolation with the view parameters and the level of detail or "level-of-detail") can advantageously be implemented on a multi-touch display (for example that of an Apple iPhone, PDA or the like) , This can be set on computer-implemented maps by two-finger interaction on a multi-touch display, the zoom factor. Simultaneously tapping your fingers on the display at further apart positions on the map, then merging the two fingers to make the map smaller. If you tap on the map at very close positions and then move the two fingers apart, the map will be enlarged. Particularly in connection with the warping zoom functionality on a multi-touch display, the level of detail (level-of-detail) can advantageously be combined or coupled with the control of the magnification factor, so that the zoom functionality or the level of detail control is controlled by movement of the two fingers in a predetermined first direction (eg in the vertical direction) on the card, while the warping functionality (ie the degree of distortion) by a movement of the fingers in a second, different from the first Direction (eg in the horizontal direction) can be changed or controlled.

In particular, the multitouch display has two coordinate axes (preferably perpendicular to one another) (X-axis: horizontal, Y-axis: vertical) whose values range, for example, from 0 to 1. As the fingers move toward each other, the magnification decreases by the distance between the two fingers that is reduced in the Y direction. With opposite movement of the fingers, the magnification factor increases accordingly. The interpolation between the geographical and "schematic" positions of the data points (ie, the interpolation between geographic map 10 and schematic map 20) is also preferably controlled by a two-finger interaction. For this purpose, the fingers can move in the horizontal direction towards or away from each other. As the fingers move towards each other, the weight of the schematic positions increases by the X-direction reduced distance between the two fingers and decreases by the same value for the geographic positions. With opposite movement of the fingers, the weight for the schematic positions decreases and the weight of the geographical positions increases accordingly. Advantageously, these two two finger intercations (vertical: view parameters with level-of-detail, horizontal: warping) are combined so that the two fingers are in diagonal direction (ie at an angle different from 0 ° and 180 ° to the first and second directions) to be moved on the display. Accordingly, in the diagonal movement, the distance changes (eg decreases) in both the X direction and the Y direction, so that both distance variations simultaneously affect the level-of-detail (Y direction) display parameters and warping as described above (X direction) can be applied. If the fingers are thus moved in the diagonal direction, advantageously a coupled or simultaneous or simultaneous control or adjustment of both zoom distortion or the warping functionality results as a so-called "warping zoom".

In other words, by two-finger operation in the first direction, the zooming functionality, by two-finger operation in the second direction, the warping functionality, as well as by two-finger operation in a third direction inclined to the first and second directions, a combination of zooming and warping Functionality to be controlled. This results in a very simple and intuitive interaction or adjustment for the user.

Furthermore, on devices with receivers for satellite navigation signals (navigation system in the car, mobile phone, PDA) advantageous location information about the current location, speed information and / or acceleration information available, so that at least a portion of this information for (preferably automatic) control of the warping zoom functionality are used can. For example, at high speed on the highway, the unit can only display the highway network, while after the exit one detailed road map can be displayed. Cancels the satellite signal, for example, when entering a metro station, the display shows the network as a schematic map 20 at. When the user returns to the surface, the display of a "suitable" geographical map 10 or integrated map 30 (for example a city map with all lanes, passageways and buildings) takes place according to the situation at the pedestrian tempo.

Referring to Figure 7, an exemplary system for implementing the invention will be described. An exemplary system includes a universal computing device in the form of a conventional computing environment 120, e.g. a "personal computer" (PC) 120 having a processor unit 122, a system memory 124, and a system bus 126 which connects a variety of system components, including system memory 124 and processor unit 122. The processing unit 122 may perform arithmetic, logic and / or control operations by accessing the system memory 124. The system memory 124 may store information and / or instructions for use in combination with the processor unit 122. System memory 124 may include volatile and non-volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM) 128 and read-only memory (ROM) 130. A basic input-output system (BIOS) that includes the basic routines that help to transfer information between the elements within the PC 120, such as during start-up, may be stored in the ROM 130. The system bus 126 may be one of many bus structures, including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, and a local bus employing a particular bus architecture from a variety of bus architectures.

The PC 120 may further include a hard disk drive 132 for reading or writing a hard disk (not shown) and an external disk drive 134 for reading or writing a removable disk 136 or a removable disk. The removable disk may be a magnetic disk for a magnetic disk drive or an optical disk such as a CD for an optical disk drive. The hard disk drive 132 and the external disk drive 134 are each connected to the system bus 126 via a hard disk drive interface 138 and an external disk drive interface 140. The drives and associated computer readable media provide nonvolatile storage of computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules and other data to the PC 120. The data structures may include the relevant data for implementing a method as described above. Although the exemplary environment uses a hard disk (not shown) and an external disk 142, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that other types of computer-readable media that can store computer-accessible data can be used in the exemplary work environment, such as magnetic cassettes, flash Memory cards, digital video disks, random access memory, read-only memory, etc.

A plurality of program modules, particularly an operating system (not shown), one or more application programs 144, or program modules (not shown) and program data 146 may be stored on the hard disk, external disk 142, ROM 130, or RAM 128 become. The application programs may comprise at least part of the functionality as shown in FIG.

A user may enter commands and information as described above into the PC 120 using input devices such as a keyboard 148 and a computer mouse or trackball 150, respectively. Other input devices (not shown) may include a microphone and / or other sensors, a joystick, a game pad, a scanner, or the like. These or other input devices may be connected to the processor unit 122 via a serial interface 152 coupled to the system 126 or may be connected to other interfaces such as a parallel interface 154, a game port or a universal serial bus (USB) , Furthermore, information may be printed with a printer 156. The printer 156 and other parallel Input / output devices may be connected to the processor unit 122 through the parallel interface 154. A monitor 158 or other type of display device (s) is / are connected to the system bus 126 via an interface, such as a video input output 160. In addition to the monitor, computing environment 120 may include other peripheral output devices (not shown) such as speakers or audio outputs.

The computing environment 120 may communicate with other electronic devices, e.g. a computer, a cordless phone, a cordless phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a television or the like. To communicate, computing environment 120 may operate in a networked environment using connections to one or more electronic devices. FIG. 7 illustrates the computing environment networked with a remote computer 162. The remote computer 162 may include another computing environment, such as a computer. may be a server, a router, a networked PC, a peer device or other common network node, and may include many or all of the elements described above with respect to computing environment 120. The logical connections, as shown in Figure 7, include a local area network (LAN) 164 and a wide-area network (WAN) 166. Such networking environments are commonplace in offices, corporate-wide computer networks, intranets, and the Internet.

When a computing environment 120 is used in a LAN network environment, the computing environment 120 may be connected to the LAN 164 through a

Network input / output 168 connected. When the computing environment 120 is used in a WAN networking environment, the computing environment 120 may include a modem 170 or other means for establishing communication over the

WAN 166 include. The modem 170, which may be internal and external to the computing environment 120, is connected to the system bus 126 via the serial bus

Interface 152 connected. In the network environment, program modules represented relative to the computing environment 120, or portions thereof stored in a remote memory device accessible to or from a remote computer 162. Furthermore, other data relevant to the method or system described above may be accessible on or from the remote computer 162. It is also possible to couple a system for dynamically integrating a geographic map display and a schematic map display to a navigation location receiver (eg G PS receiver) so that, for example, depending on a geographical position, a zoom factor and / or degree of distortion of an integrated map automatically determinable by the system.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10; 50; 70 geographical map representation

11 -19; 51, 53; 71, 73 starting positions

14, 16 isolines 20; 60; 80 schematic map representation

21-29, 63, 65, 81, 83 target positions

22-28 connections

30; 100 integrated map display

90 distorted grid 91, 93,95 grid points

101, 103,105 geographical (initial) positions

111, 113,1115 isolines

120 computer environment

122 processor unit 124 system memory

126 system bus

128 random access memory (RAM) 130 read-only memory (ROM)

132 Hard disk drive

134 disk drive

136 removable disk 138 hard disk drive interface

140 disk drive interface

142 external disc

144 application program

146 Program Data 148 Keyboard

150 computer mouse / trackball

152 serial interface

154 parallel interface

156 Printer 158 Monitor

160 video input / output

162 remote computer

164 "local area network" (LAN)

166 "Wide area network" (WAN) 168 Network input / output

Claims

claims

A computer-implemented method for dynamically integrating a geographic map representation (10) and a schematic map representation (20), comprising:

Providing a geographical map representation (10) having one or more home positions (11, 13, 15, 17, 19) associated with one or more target locations (21, 23, 25, 27, 29) in a schematic map representation (20);

Calculating an interpolating and continuous mapping function by applying a warping method using the home positions (11, 13, 15, 17, 19) and the target positions (21, 23, 25, 27, 29) as reference points associated with a method of overlap control; and

Display of a dynamically or interactively integrated map display

(30) by dynamically applying the mapping function to the geographic map representation (10) and / or the schematic map representation (20) so that the particular map representation is distorted according to a selected distortion factor, wherein the integrated map representation (30) is independent of the selected bias factor at least Represent elements and / or parts of both the geographic map representation (10) and the schematic map representation (20).

The method of claim 1, the step of displaying an integrated map representation (30) further comprising:

Displaying the dynamically or interactively integrated map display (30) by applying a zoom function coupled with the mapping function to the geographic map representation (10) and / or the schematic map representation (20).

The method of claim 2, the step of applying a zoom function coupled with the mapping function further comprising: dynamically interpolating between the geographic map representation (10) and the schematic map representation (20) by using the

Imaging function with simultaneous use of the zoom function, with a

Center of integrated map display (30) at a constant

Display position remains, the interpolation is preferably linear.

4. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, further comprising:

Displaying the dynamically or interactively integrated map display (30) by using the mapping function coupled with a magnification function applicable to a section (52, 54) of the integrated map display (30).

5. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, further comprising: calculating a selection and / or resolution level of detail for the integrated map display (30) in dependence on an output device and / or the degree of distortion.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising: displaying the dynamically or interactively integrated map display (30) by applying the mapping function coupled with the selection and / or resolution detail level and / or the magnification function in response to a geographic location and / or movement a user.

7. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, further comprising:

Calculating and displaying distance information in the integrated map representation (30).

The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of calculating and presenting distance information in the integrated map representation (30): distorting a regular grid (90) while using the

Mapping function to the geographic map representation (10) by applying the mapping function to one or more grid points (91, 93, 95) of the grid; and

Representing the distance information by isolines (111, 113, 115) in the integrated map representation (30) by calculating a distance from each of the grid points (91, 93, 95) to a corresponding next geographic positions (101, 103, 105) in FIG the geographic map representation (10) and applying the warping method to the distorted grid (90).

A computer program product, in particular stored or signalized on a computer readable medium, which, when loaded into the memory of a computer or computer network and executed by a computer or computer network, causes the computer or computer network to perform a one or more method of the preceding claims.

A computer system for dynamically integrating a geographic map representation (10) and a schematic map representation (20), comprising: a memory device configured to display a geographic map representation (10) having one or more home positions (11, 13, 15, 17 , 19) associated with one or more target positions (21, 23, 25, 27, 29) in a schematic map representation (20); a data processing apparatus configured to calculate an interpolating and continuous mapping function by applying a warping method using the home positions (11, 13, 15, 17, 19) and the target positions (21, 23, 25, 27, 29 ) as reference points associated with a method of overlap control; and a display configured to display a dynamically or interactively integrated map display (30) by dynamically applying the mapping function to the geographic map representation (10) and / or the schematic map representation (20) such that the respective

Map display is distorted according to a selected distortion factor, the integrated map display (30) regardless of the selected

Distortion factor at least elements and / or parts of both the geographical map representation (10) and the schematic

Map display (20) represents.

The system of claim 10, wherein the display is further configured to display the dynamically or interactively integrated map display (30) by applying a zoom function coupled with the mapping function to the geographic map representation (10) and / or the schematic map representation (20) ,

The system of claim 11, wherein the display is further configured to interpolate dynamic between the geographic map representation (10) and the schematic map representation (20) by using the mapping function while using the zoom feature, wherein a center of the integrated map representation (30) a constant display position remains.

13. The system of one or more of claims 10 to 12, wherein the display is further configured to provide the dynamic or interactive integrated map display (30) by applying the mapping function coupled with a magnification function to a portion (52, 54) of the integrated map representation (30) is applicable.

14. The system according to claim 10, wherein the data processing device is further configured to provide a selection and / or resolution degree of detail for the integrated map display (30) in FIG Dependence on an output device and / or to calculate the degree of distortion.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the display is further configured to dynamically or interactively integrate the map display (30) by applying the mapping function coupled with the selection and / or resolution detail level and / or magnification function depending on a geographic location and / or to indicate a movement of a user.

The system of one or more of claims 10 to 15, wherein the data processing device is further configured to calculate distance information in the integrated map representation (30) and to display it on the display.

The system of claim 16, wherein the data processing device is further adapted to maintain a regular grid (90) while applying the mapping function to the geographic map representation (10) by applying the mapping function to one or more grid points (91, 93, 95) of the grid (90) to distort; and the distance information by isolines (111, 113, 115) in the integrated map representation (30) by calculating a distance from each of the grid points (91, 93, 95) to a corresponding next geographic position (13, 15) in the geographic map representation ( 10) and applying the warping method to the distorted grid (90) on the display.

18. displaying an integrated map display (30) as dynamic integration of a geographic map representation (10) and a schematic map representation (20), wherein: the dynamically or interactively integrated map display (30) is displayed by dynamically applying a mapping function to a geographic map representation (10) having one or more starting positions (11, 13, 15, 17, 19) which correspond to one or more target positions (21, 23, 25, 27, 29) in a schematic map representation (20). and / or the schematic map representation (20) so that the respective map representation is distorted according to a selected distortion factor, the interpolating and continuous mapping function warping processing using the home positions (11, 13, 15, 17, 19) and the target positions (21, 23, 25, 27, 29) as reference points associated with an overlapping control, and the integrated map display (30) at least elements and / or parts of both the geographic map representation (10) and the irrespective of the selected distortion factor schematic map representation (20) represents.