Method for placing names for point-features on a map based on a plane sweeping technique
US5988853A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 3, 1997 |
| Grant date | Nov 23, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 3, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F40/174
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
In an automatic mapping system, a plurality of names are placed on a map in association with a plurality of corresponding point-features with minimized overlapping among the names. First a minimum bounding rectangle (MBR) is placed on a predetermined position of a target point located on a predetermined direction-uppermost position from point-features, where the MBR is selected for representing a name corresponding to the target point. Next, it is determined whether the MBR is overlapped with at least one of previously assigned MBRs and if the MBR is not overlapped with any of the previously assigned MBRs, the current position of the MBR is determined and the name is placed on the MBR. If the MBR is overlapped with at least one of the previously assigned MBRs, it is determined whether it is possible to continuously shift the MBR around the target point so that the MBR located on one of shifted positions is not overlapped with any of the previously assigned MBRs and, if possible, the MBR is located on the shifted position and the name is placed on the MBR. Another point-feature is assigned and located on a predetermined direction-uppermost position from the remaining point-features …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.