A generic method to organize boundaries of complex polygons for embedded devices

Based on an analysis of drawbacks in the existing graphical display of complex area objects in embedded system, the paper introduces a new method termed as consecutive boundary organization (CBO) which is able to convert a large number of separate polygons belonging to the same area object into a single consecutive stroke fitting for quick display. The working principle of the CBO method is demonstrated in three cases that can typically occur to the real-world concept “lake”: (1) a lake with an island in it, (2) a lake with multiple islands, and (3) the nested lake-island-lake. In spite of complicated inclusion relationships, the CBO method can always construct an integral stroke with neither information loss nor redundancy. Experiments with a real dataset of lakes and islands from North America have proved the feasibility and efficiency of the CBO method. Due to its generic nature, the CBO method can be applied to any other complex area objects with multiple polygons and inclusion levels.