Context Aware Terrain Visualization for Wayfinding and Navigation

Abstract

To assist wayfinding and navigation, the display of maps and driving directions on mobile devices is nowadays commonplace. While existing system can naturally exploit GPS information to facilitate orientation, the inherently limited screen space is often perceived as a drawback compared to traditional street maps as it constrains the perception of contextual information. Moreover, occlusion issues add to this problem if the environment is shown from the popular egocentric perspective. In this paper we describe an interactive visualization system that addresses these problems by reallocating the available screen space. At the heart of our system are three novel visualization techniques: First, we propose a non-standard perspective that allows to blend between the familiar pedestrian perspective and a standard map depiction with reduced occlusion. Second, we derive an efficient deformation technique that allows an interactive allocation of screen space to areas of interest like e.g. nearby touristic attractions. Finally, a path adaptive isometric perspective is proposed that reveals otherwise hidden facades in top-down views. We describe efficient implementations of all techniques and exemplify our interactive system on real world urban models.

Square deformed map with simultaneous expression of close and distant view

“…Möser et al proposed a deformed map with overview plus detail expression [4], however, it is dedicated for navigation or satellite photographs. In our previous work [5], deformed map is projected into circular area, where it wastes space in a rectangular window.…”

Constrained optimization for disoccluding geographic landmarks in 3D urban maps

“…As for the case when the roads have overlaps with surrounding buildings, we also replace the original margin M in Eqs. (15) and (17) with the above margin L, while we have no need to add error variables since λ and µ serve as the penalty values in this case.…”

“…Takahashi et al [19] first presented occlusion-free representation of routes specifically in mountain areas and its animation for application to car navigation systems. This work has been followed by an approach by Möser et al [15], where they distorted the terrain surface to be aligned with the predefined base surface to reduce possible occlusions of geographic features. Degener and Klein [6] constructed a variational formulation for automating occlusion-free representation of ski and hiking courses in mountain areas.…”

Interacting with multi-perspective views

“…1, [10,8]). The degressive or pedestrian perspective, bends the virtual 3D city model (the scene) towards the user.…”