Dynamic Map Boundary Definition via User Content Clustering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic maps struggle to define boundaries for transient or temporary events and activities lacking permanent locations, as they rely on predefined areas which are not applicable to events or activities without fixed locations.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that utilize user-generated content from social networking services to identify clusters of related content based on geographic location, determine dynamic areas, and present search results within these areas on an electronic map, incorporating modules for content gathering, clustering, area determination, and map display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If predefined boundaries are used for electronic maps, then map structure and navigation are simplified, but the system cannot handle transient or temporary events without permanent locations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic boundaries that automatically adjust based on user-generated content clusters. Instead of static predefined boundaries, the system creates flexible boundaries that move and reshape according to real-time event locations, allowing the map to adapt to transient events while maintaining a relatively simple underlying map structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces user-generated content as an intermediary layer between the fixed map infrastructure and the transient events. This intermediary layer allows the system to handle temporary events without modifying the core map structure, resolving the contradiction by adding adaptability through a separate data layer rather than changing the fundamental system
2Adaptability or versatility
If user-generated content is gathered and processed to define dynamic boundaries, then adaptability to transient events is improved, but data processing complexity and computational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-organizing algorithms that automatically cluster user-generated content based on geographic proximity and temporal relevance. The data processing is automated and self-service oriented, where the system independently identifies event boundaries without requiring complex manual configuration or intervention, thereby reducing operational complexity despite increased data processing requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary clustering and boundary determination in advance, creating ready-to-use dynamic boundaries before search queries are executed. This preliminary processing organizes the user-generated content into structured clusters ahead of time, reducing the computational burden during actual search operations and balancing the overall system complexity
3Productivity
If predefined areas are used for search results, then search speed is improved, but search relevance for transient events deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic search boundaries that automatically adjust to match the actual geographic extent of transient events. Instead of using fixed predefined areas, the search boundary dynamically conforms to the cluster of user-generated content, ensuring that search results remain relevant to the actual event location and scope while maintaining efficient search performance through pre-computed boundary definitions
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for presenting search results includes a content module that gathers user-generated content from a plurality of users of a social networking service, the user-generated content relating to one or more of an event and an activity, a cluster module that identifies a cluster of related user-generated content from the location information of the gathered user-generated content, the cluster comprising a plurality of items of user-generated content relating to one or more of a common event and an activity that have a geographically similar location, an area module that determines an area containing the cluster of related user-generated content, a search module that receives a search query, the search query related to one or more of the common event and activity of the cluster, and a map display module that presents, on an electronic map, a boundary for the determined area.