GB2341478A - Three dimensional maps incorporating navigational aids - Google Patents

Abstract

A procedure for producing three dimensional maps based on information gained from 4cm to 1km ordnance survey maps. The information is transcribed to a computer data base and used to control a laser to cut a three dimensional mould of the landscape. The mould can then be used to produce three dimensional replica maps made of a flexible material and able to retain the precise detail of the mould. The maps would have fixed around their edge a small plotting compass and a series of lines at 15{ intervals, indicating the approximate azimuth of the sun, each hour. Maps could be made of individual mountains or hill walking areas. Using data from ocean depth charts, maps could also be produced of dangerous water channels for use by sailors and divers. The maps would be particularly useful for teachers of physical geography.

Description

2341478 THREE DIMENSIONAL MAPS INCORPORATING NAVIGATIONAL AIDS As more and

more people take to the hills for leisure, there is an ever increasing risk of loss of life when bad weather sets in. Very few walkers are skilled map readers so I have invented a simple procedure for producing maps which give precise knowledge about the three dimensional shape of the landscape, which could provide walkers with vital information during bad weather. The maps also have two other features which provide the walker with vital navigational information. The first is a small plotting compass fixed into the top of the map so the map can easily be lined up with magnetic north using a reference dot on the map. The second is a series of lines, 15 apart from each other, which point to the sun at diffierent times of the day. The walker would then only need to line up the appropriate map fine with the sun at any given time of the day. Of course, some degree of estimation may be necessary according to the exact time when the sun compass is being used. The maps would also have printed on their important features such as paths, rivers, roads, railways, large buildings and any other features of interest to the user. The maps would be made of a fle)dble material which could be rolled up and kept safely in a plastic tube or other suitable container, whilst retaining a precise three dimensional shape with surface details. The size of the map could be scaled up or down according to the users needs and when the sun shines the map will have exactly the same shadows cast on them as the landscape in question and the shadows will change through the day in the same way. The map could be studied in a darkroom using a lamp to miniic the altitude and azimuth of the sun and the walker could gain precise knowledge of the terrain to be covered next day, or a previous walk could be reviewed. As well as hillwalkers, the maps would also be of benefit to cyclists wishing to gain more precise knowledge of gradients to be covered. Geologists could mark in rock strata in difFerent colours. Historians and archaeologists could use them to look for evidence of early settlements. They would be of enormous benefit to teachers of physical geography with class sets being used to help explain aspects of topography. The blind or Partially sighted could sense the shape of mountains using their fingertips and the maps may be prove to be of use to the military. Using the same process, three dimensional maps could be produced, of dangerous waterways for use by sailors and divers likewise, using information gained from the depth charts.

An outline of the production process will now be described as a flow chart, followed by a more detailed description of each of the stages A to G with references to Figs 2 to 7 Fig 1 shows an overview of the whole process.

Fig 2 shows what the contours might look like for a small hill, taken from the 4cm to I km ordnance survey map. Contours are in metres at 5 metre intervals. This is the stage A reference material.

Stage B involves reading the contour lines vertical and horizontal distances along a series of horizontal straight lines, 1 or 2 mm apart and input the data into a computer as shown in Fig 3, thus:

Line i reads (left to right) 5 m, horizontal 44mm to 5 5mm.

2 Line ii reads 55m up to 60m in 8.5nun, up to 65m in 1Omm, horizontal 17.5mm to 65m, down to 60m in Amm, down to 55m in 6.5mm.

The whole map area could be covered in this way and knowledge of the scales involved means that accurate 3 dimensional information has been put into the database. You could input data as precisely as you like, but input lines at imm intervals up or down the map will give a more detailed picture than input data lines at 2mrn intervals, as in Fig 3.

Stage C now involves setting up a laser cutter, free to move in three dimensions x, y + z as in Fig 4. The movements of the laser are controlled by the computer, through a series of instructions according to the input data lines precise information. The laser need only be able to cut a line about 1 or 2mm wide depending on the accuracy required. The mould might be made of steel, or another suitable material.

Stage D is the stage at which the mould of the landscape is now created. As the laser scans across left to right, up 1 or 2mrn, right to left as in Fig 5(b) its up and down movements win be controlled by the information carried in the input data lines. The contours can be smoothed if the laser moves down or up a slope gradually as in Fig 5(c). Of course, the up and down movements of the laser will be in the reverse direction of the contours themselves, so that a mould of the hill is created as in Fig 5(a). An important feature of every mould is to leave a flat 2cm border to incorporate both the plotting compass and solar clock lines. A legend or key could of course be printed here also as in Fig 6. A fixed dot on the map will show the direction required to rotate the map to orientate it with magnetic north as in Fig 6 the solar clock lines correspond to the suns azimuth each hour of the day so that in misty conditions, only a glimpse of the sun is required to orientate the map, assuming you have accurate time. The suns azimuth changes by about 15 each hour. The maps can of course be of any shape, even of an individual mountain.

Stage E now involves pressing or moulding the 3D maps, using a suitably flexible material, something that will retain the precise 3D shape of the mould, perhaps neoprene, rubber or polythene. It would end up of varying thickness according to the shape of the mould but would need to be kept to minimal thickness to keep the maps fight and flexible. Thousands of maps could then be created from the mould, each with a replica of the precise 3D shape of the landscape, fixed on its surface, as shown in Fig 7. The material could be injected into the mould in liquid form and removed and finished when cool.

Stage F involves printing appropriate details onto the maps surface, using different colours. It may be possible to incorporate these details before the moulding or at the moulding stage.

These features include roads, paths, rivers, railways, buildings and other important features such as trig points or transmitters. As the technology develops, more and more information would become incorporated onto the surface of the maps, until eventually a replica of any piece of British landscape could be produced, (or possibly even the world). The final stage would also include fitting the plotting compass and ensuring that the sun compass lines are printed with sufficient accuracy to ensure navigational confidence for the user.

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Claims (3)

Claims

1. A procedure for producing three dimensional maps, using laser and computer technology to cut moulds of the landscape, based on information gained from 4cm. to l Ian ordnance survey maps, the maps being made of a flexible material able to retain its precise three dimensional shape and incorporating other navigational aids, described in figs I to 7.

2. A small plotting compass fixed into the material of the map as claimed in claim 1.

3. A sun compass of fixed lines around the edge of the map as described herein with reference to figures 6 and 7. As claimed in claim 1 or claim 2.

3. A sun compass of fixed lines around the edge of the map as described herein with reference to figures 6 and 7. As claimed in claim 1 or claim 2.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows Claims 1. The concept of using inverse Ordnance Survey contour data to control a laser cutter or cutting tool, to create a three dimensional mould of any landscape directly, the mould being then used to form many thousands of replica landscape maps made of a suitably flexible material, incorporating other navigational aids described in figs 1 to 7.

2. A small plotting compass fixed into the material of the map as claimed in claim 1.