WO2009014325A1

WO2009014325A1 - Method for providing three dimensional map service and geographic information system

Info

Publication number: WO2009014325A1
Application number: PCT/KR2008/003769
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jae-Min Lee
Original assignee: Thinkware Systems Corporation
Priority date: 2007-07-20
Filing date: 2008-06-28
Publication date: 2009-01-29
Also published as: KR20090009453A; KR100966478B1

Abstract

A method for providing a three dimensional (3D) map service and a geographic information system (GIS) are provided. The method includes: extracting a two dimensional (2D) map image according to user's search request for a map; and providing a 3D type map image using the extracted 2D map image.

Description

METHOD FOR PROVIDING THREE DIMENSIONAL MAP SERVICE AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM

Technical Field The present invention relates to a geographic information system, and more particularly, to a geographic information system and method for providing a three dimensional (3D) map service which provides map information, requested by a user, as a map type image in web environments.

Background Art

Internet based map search technologies, which facilitate map searches by integrating a geographic information system (GIS) with Internet technologies, have become popular recently.

Such technologies conveniently make available location information such as longitude, latitude and address of a location using GIS, which provides the user required geographic and map information in an appropriate map type image through query and analysis on spatial data stored in a relational database.

That is, GIS is a computer-based system for using and managing geographic data to resolve spatial problems. The most fundamental data required for GIS implementation is a digital map. The digital map, unlike a traditional paper map, is produced by analyzing and numerically editing various geographic data obtained from survey maps, aerial photographs and satellite images, whereupon the map is indexed and stored as a file.

As new web technologies such as Asynchronous JavaScript and XML (AJAX) have recently become available, GIS is being transformed from ActiveX control-based map services to image-based map services using pure web technologies such as JavaScript.

Image-based map services using pure web technologies have a number of merits, such as convenient use steps and smooth interaction with users, including improved acceptance by the user since they do not require installation of control applications. Disclosure of Invention Technical Goals

While existing GIS systems provide 2D image maps, in general, as hardware has improved in performance, map services under diverse environments are required. Accordingly, development of a 3D map service using pure web technologies in web environments is unavoidable.

The present invention provides a method for providing a three dimensional (3D) map service that implements 3D map service using pure web technologies in web environments, and provides the GIS that use such method. Furthermore, the present invention provides a method for providing a 3D map service that incorporates the map processing technique for implementing 3D maps using 2D map images, and provides the GIS that using such method.

Technical solutions According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for providing a three dimensional (3D) map service including: extracting a two dimensional (2D) map image according to user's search request for a map; and providing a three dimensional type map image using the extracted 2D map image.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a geographic information system including: a map database storing 2D map image; a geographic information system (GIS) server searching for the 2D map image stored in the map database and providing the retrieved 2D map image; and a web server transmits a search request for a map to the GIS server according to user's search request for the map, transforming a shape and a size of the 2D map image provided from the GIS server, and providing the transformed 3D map image.

Advantageous Effects

A method for providing a three dimensional (3D) map service and a geographic information system (GIS) according to the present invention provides a 3D map service via transformation of 2D map images by using pure web technologies on web environments.

Therefore, the present invention has merits of implementing 3D maps from 2D map images without using additional control applications, and of providing a graphically improved map service to the user.

Brief Description of Drawings FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a geographic information system (GIS) for providing a three dimensional (3D) map service according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an entire process of a method for providing a 3D map image according the present invention; FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a two dimensional (2D) map image stored in a map database;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a 2D map image block, which has been divided into image blocks of a predetermined size, for map transformation;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a result of shape transformation of the image blocks on a horizontal location of the map image block of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a result of performing size transformation with respect to the image block on a vertical location with respect to the shape-transformed map image as illustrated in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a map image block with size transformation followed by shape transformation performed thereon, with respect to the map image of FIGS. 5 and 6;

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a result where each image block whose shape and size have been transformed as illustrated in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 is synthesized; and

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a result of 3D map image whose shape and size have been transformed with respect to the 2D map image in FIG. 3.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

Hereinafter, a geographic information system (GIS) and a method for providing a three dimensional (3D) map service according to the present invention will be described in detail by referring to accompanied drawings according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

First, a configuration of the GIS according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the GIS 500 according to the present invention, which is connected to a client via the Internet 300.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, a plurality of clients 100 are connected to the GIS 500 via the Internet 300. Users can access the GIS 500 and search for a map about a desired area via the plurality of clients 100. Here, the plurality of clients 100 are basically equipped with a web browser and can use applications such as plug-ins,

ActiveX controls and Java applets. The plurality of clients 100 include personal computers, mobile phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs) and vehicle navigation systems that can access the Internet 300.

As shown in FIG. 1, the GIS 500 of the present invention includes a web server 510, a GIS server 530, and a map database 550.

The web server 510 receives a search request for a map from the plurality of clients 100, analyzes the search request, and transmits the search request for the map to the GIS server 530. Thereupon, the web server 510 transforms two dimensional (2D) map information retrieved from the GIS server 530 into a 3D map image and transmits the transformed image to the web browser of the plurality of clients 100.

To implement this process, the web server 510 includes an interface module

511 and map performance unit 513. The interface module 511 controls the information transmission/reception process between the web server 510 and the clients 100 as well as various internal command processing processes. The map performance unit 513 receives 2D map images provided from GIS server 530 and performs 3D image transformation by transforming a shape and a size of the received map images. The map performance unit 513 uses JavaScript applications, which is a pure web technology, to perform the map image transformation.

The GIS server 530 includes a search engine 531 and a memory device 533 and functions as an interface between the web server 510 and the map database 550. The search engine 531 receives a search request for a map from the web server 510 and extracts the 2D map image required by the user from the map database 550. The memory device 533 temporarily stores the 2D image extracted from the map database 550.

The map database 550 stores index information of map images corresponding to map search items and actual map images by geographic area. The map images stored in the map database 550 are usually provided in 2D type.

A method for providing a 3D map image in the map performance unit 513 will be described in detail by referring to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 illustrates the method for providing the 3D map image, and is a flowchart illustrating an entire process of a method for providing the 3D map image according the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, the GIS 500 of FIG. 1 searches for a map image requested by the clients 100 and provides the retrieved map image in operation S210. For this, the GIS server 530 of FIG. 1 searches for the 2D map image requested by the user from among the map images stored in the map database 550 of FIG. 1 via the search engine 531 of FIG. 1, and the retrieved 2D map image is transmitted to the map performance unit 513 of the web server 510.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a 2D map image stored in a map database. Basically, the 2D map images provide the clients 100 with a user's view from a

90 degree angle with respect to a ground level of a map.

The web server 510 transforms the 2D map images into 3D map images within the map performance unit 513 to provide a 3D map service to the clients 100.

To provide the 3D map service using the 2D map images, shape transformation of 2D map images followed by size transformation of the shape-transformed map images should be performed in sequence.

The shape transformation and size transformation of 2D map images will be described in detail using a 2D map image provided by an application, such as Asynchronous JavaScript and XML (AJAX). 2D map services such as the AJAX use a 2D image of block units as illustrated in FIG. 4.

To perform the shape and size transformation of the 2D map image, the 2D map image is first divided into blocks of a predetermined size in operation S220 as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4.

In operations S230, the shape transformation is initially performed according to a horizontal location of the divided image blocks.

Specifically, with respect to an image block on a left side of a vertical line which divides the 2D map image into halves, an upper portion of the image block is reduced in the vertical direction and a lower portion of the image block is reduced in an inverse direction of the vertical line based on the vertical line. Also, the image blocks on the right of the vertical line are reduced in the vertical direction to correspond to the image blocks on the left of the vertical line. That is, an upper portion of each image block on the right-hand side is reduced in the vertical direction and a lower portion of each image block is reduced in an inverse direction of the vertical line.

Here, it is preferable to establish the reduction rates of the image blocks to be greater in proportion to a distance an image block is from the vertical line, with respect to the image blocks on the left and right sides. Also, it is preferable to establish a reduction rate for the upper portions to be greater than a reduction rate of the lower portions, with respect to the image blocks on the left and right side.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a result of shape transformation of the image blocks on a horizontal location of the map image block of FIG. 4. In the case the 2D map image consists of multiple columns of smaller image blocks, the above shape transformation process for an image block is repeated in the same manner for each block column.

As illustrated, image blocks Al and A2 in FIG. 4 are transformed into Ax shape in FIG. 5, Bl and B 2 are transformed into Bx shape, and Cl and C2 are transformed into Cx shape. That is, blocks in the same horizontal location are transformed into the same shape.

In the case a column consists of an odd number of image blocks so that a center image block falls on a vertical point, it is preferable that only an upper portion of the center image block is reduced in a vertical direction and a lower portion is maintained without reduction, as illustrated. In operation S240, once the above shape transformation is completed, size transformation is performed according to a vertical location of the shape-transformed image blocks.

Specifically, with respect to an image block on a lower end of a horizontal line which divides the 2D map image into halves, each of a width and a length of the image block is reduced based on the horizontal line. Meanwhile, with respect to an image block on an upper end of the horizontal line, a width and a length of the image block is reduced in the same reduction rate. A width and a length of the shape-transformed image blocks are extended or reduced in proportion to distances from the horizontal line based on the horizontal line according to the above method.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a result of performing size transformation with respect to the image block on a vertical location with respect to the shape-transformed map image as illustrated in FIG. 5. As illustrated, in the case of image blocks are located the horizontal line, a width and a length of the image blocks are reduced in equal proportions.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a map image block with size transformation followed by the shape transformation performed thereon, with respect to the map image of FIGS. 5 and 6.

In the case the image blocks on the 2D map image consist of multiple columns, size transformation process is performed with respect to all image blocks whose shapes have been transformed. According to the size transformation of the image blocks, since image blocks Al, Bl, and Cl are located on an upper portion based on the horizontal line as shown in FIG. 7, it is preferable to reduce the image blocks Al, Bl, and Cl in comparison to image blocks A2, B2, and C2.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the composite image of the map image blocks whose shape and size have been transformed as illustrated in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6. Once the shape and size transformations are completed through operations

S230 and S240, each image block whose shape and size have been transformed is synthesized as shown in FIG. 8, and the synthesized map image is displayed on a web to provide the user the displayed map image in operations S250 and S260.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a result of 3D map service which implements a 3D type map image by dividing the 2D map image in FIG. 3 into image blocks of a predetermined size and performing shape and size transformation with respect to the divided images according to the above described operations.

Accordingly, the present invention may implement a 3D map service by transforming a 2D map image into a 3D map image using pure web technologies. The method for providing a 3D map service according to the above-described exemplary embodiments may be recorded in computer-readable media including program instructions to implement various operations embodied by a computer. The media may also include, alone or in combination with the program instructions, data files, data structures, and the like. Examples of computer-readable media include magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tape; optical media such as CD ROM disks and DVD; magneto-optical media such as optical disks; and hardware devices that are specially configured to store and perform program instructions, such as read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), flash memory, and the like. The media may also be a transmission medium such as optical or metallic lines, wave guides, and the like, including a carrier wave transmitting signals specifying the program instructions, data structures, and the like. Examples of program instructions include both machine code, such as produced by a compiler, and files containing higher level code that may be executed by the computer using an interpreter. The described hardware devices may be configured to act as one or more software modules in order to perform the operations of the above-described embodiments of the present invention. Although a few embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, the present invention is not limited to the described embodiments.

Instead, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A method for providing a three dimensional (3D) map service, comprising: extracting a two dimensional (2D) map image according to user's search request for a map; and providing a three dimensional type map image using the extracted 2D map image.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing of the 3D map image uses JavaScript software.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing of the 3D map image comprises: providing the 3D map image after going through transformation of a shape and a size of the extracted 2D map image.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the providing of the 3D map image comprises: transforming the shape of the extracted 2D map image into a 3D map image; performing size transformation with respect to the shape-transformed map image into the 3D type; and providing a user with the shape-transformed and size-transformed 3D map image.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the providing of the 3D map image comprises: dividing the 2D map image into image blocks of a predetermined size; performing shape transformation with respect to each of the divided image blocks; and performing size transformation with respect to each of the shape-transformed image blocks.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the performing of the shape transformation with respect to each of the divided image blocks comprises: reducing an upper portion of the image block in the vertical direction and reducing a lower portion of the image block in an inverse direction of the vertical line based on the vertical line, with respect to an image block on a left side of a vertical line which divides the 2D map image into halves; and reducing an upper portion of the image block and reducing a lower portion of the image block in the inverse direction of the vertical line, with respect to an image block on a right side of the vertical line.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein a reduction rate for the upper portions is established to be greater than a reduction rate of the lower portions, with respect to the image blocks on the left and right side.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the reduction rates of the image blocks are established to be greater in proportion to a distance an image block is from the vertical line, with respect to the image blocks on the left and right sides.

9. The method of claim 5, wherein the performing of the size transformation with respect to each of the shape-transformed image blocks comprises: extending a width and a length of the image block based on the horizontal line, with respect to an image block on a lower end of a horizontal line which divides the 2D map image into halves; and reducing a width and a length of the image block, with respect to an image block on an upper end of the horizontal line.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the width and length of the image block is extended or reduced in proportion to a distance from the horizontal line, with respect to the image block on the lower and upper end of the horizontal line.

11. The method of claim 5, wherein the providing of the 3D map image further comprises: forming a 3D map image by synthesizing the shape-transformed and size- transformed image blocks; and providing the user with the 3D map image block.