Composite POI Representation for Map Clutter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Map-based applications face challenges in displaying multiple points of interest (POIs) due to overlapping icons, which can clutter the screen and make it difficult for users to identify specific locations, especially when the map scale is zoomed out and POI density is high.
Innovation Solution
The system generates a composite POI representation that includes a label and multiple icons, prioritizing POIs based on importance and displaying them adjacent to each other, allowing for clearer visualization of multiple POIs within a region of interest, even when individual icons would otherwise overlap.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple POI icons are displayed individually on the map, then each POI can be clearly identified, but the icons may overlap and clutter the screen when POI density is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple overlapping POI icons into a single composite icon that displays a count of POIs. When POI icons would overlap on the map, the system merges them into one unified visual element that indicates multiple POIs are present, eliminating the clutter of overlapping individual icons while preserving the information that multiple POIs exist in that location.
2Area of stationary object
If the map is zoomed out to show a larger area, then more POIs can be viewed, but individual POI icons become smaller and less distinguishable
Solution Approach 1:
When the map is zoomed out and POI icons become small and potentially overlapping, the system merges multiple POI icons into a single composite icon that displays the number of POIs. This allows the map to maintain a broader view while still providing distinguishable visual indicators of POI locations through the composite icons.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite POI icon adds a new dimension of information display by incorporating a numerical count of POIs within the icon itself. This allows the system to convey additional information (the number of POIs) without increasing the spatial footprint of the icon on the map, effectively using a different dimension (numerical information) to compensate for reduced visual detail.
3Quantity of substance
If POI icons are displayed densely packed to show all POIs in an area, then complete information is provided, but the icons become indistinguishable from each other
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple densely packed POI icons into a single composite icon that displays a count of the merged POIs. This consolidation maintains the information about the quantity of POIs while eliminating the visual indistinguishability problem that occurs when individual icons are densely packed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential information from multiple individual POI icons (their presence and count) and consolidates it into a single composite icon. By taking out the redundant visual elements of multiple separate icons and retaining only the necessary information in a unified format, the system resolves the indistinguishability issue while preserving POI quantity information.
Data Source
AI summary
A navigation application can generate and display a composite representation of multiple POIs when POI icons representing the POIs appear to be overlapping. Some embodiments display the composite representation when a certain zoom level is reached for a map including the multiple POI icons. In some embodiments, the navigation application can determine POIs that may be of interest to the user based on the user's attributes and activity history and generate the composite representation based on those attributes. The composite representation can include multiple POI icons that are displayed adjacent to each other such that a user of the navigation application can readily identify POIs that are likely to be of interest to the user within a region.