Dynamic Map Browsing Widget for Image Clustering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for browsing images on portable devices, particularly those displayed on maps, face challenges when dealing with large collections, as they lose sorting by time or other properties and struggle with navigation due to high density and proximity of images, leading to inefficient user interaction.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for browsing images on a user interface displaying a map, involving the selection of geographical features based on predefined gesture rules, generating a dynamic browsing widget proportional to the feature's dimensions, and browsing images using this widget, allowing for efficient scrolling and viewing of proximal images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If images are displayed on a map as pins, then location reference is clearly visible, but sorting by time or other properties is lost and navigation becomes inefficient with high density
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the image collection into multiple clusters based on geographic proximity. Each cluster represents a group of images located near each other on the map. This segmentation allows the system to manage large numbers of images by organizing them into manageable groups while preserving their spatial relationships, thus maintaining location reference while improving navigation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple images into cluster representations. Instead of displaying each image pin individually, images that are geographically close are combined into single cluster entities. This merging reduces visual clutter and improves navigability while the cluster maintains reference to all constituent images through metadata associations.
2Ease of operation
If images are displayed in a list or grid view, then sorting by time and other properties is maintained, but location reference is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a hybrid display system that serves multiple functions simultaneously. The map view provides location reference while the cluster metadata maintains sorting information. Users can interact with clusters to access sorted views of constituent images, thus the system universally provides both spatial context and temporal/property-based sorting capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces clusters as intermediary entities between the map display and the underlying image collection. These clusters act as mediators that preserve both spatial information (through map positioning) and sorting information (through metadata). The cluster serves as an intermediate layer that reconciles the conflicting requirements of map-based location display and list-based sorted display.
3Quantity of substance
If many images are displayed on a map, then comprehensive coverage is achieved, but selection reliability decreases due to heavy clustering
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different display qualities to different regions of the map based on image density. In areas with low image density, individual pins are displayed for reliable selection. In areas with high density, images are merged into clusters. This local differentiation of display quality allows comprehensive coverage while maintaining selection reliability where possible and using clustering only where necessary.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic clustering that adjusts based on user interaction and zoom level. As users zoom in or interact with specific areas, the system dynamically re-evaluates which images should be clustered and which should be displayed individually. This dynamic adjustment maintains selection reliability by allowing users to access individual images when needed while providing comprehensive coverage through clustering at appropriate scales.
4Measurement precision
If images are viewed individually by single-tapping pins, then precise selection is achieved, but browsing efficiency decreases with many images
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary organization of images into clusters before the user needs to browse them. This pre-processing groups images by location, so when users arrive at a browsing task, the work of organizing images is already done. Users can then browse clusters efficiently rather than having to individually select numerous pins, thus maintaining selection precision while dramatically improving browsing efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates cluster representations as simplified copies of groups of images. Instead of requiring users to interact with each individual image pin, the system creates a single cluster entity that represents multiple images. This copying approach allows users to navigate through many images by interacting with fewer cluster entities, thus improving browsing efficiency while the underlying individual images remain selectable when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of browsing images on a user interface displaying a map. A selection of a geographical feature within the map on the user interface is received based on a selection criteria comprising a set of predefined gesture rules. A plurality of images is selected based on a proximity of each of the images to the selected geographical feature. A dynamic browsing widget is generated on the user interface having dimensions proportional to dimensions of the selected geographical feature. The selected plurality of images is browsed using the generated dynamic browsing widget.