Dynamic Geospatial Marker Scaling for Visual Clarity

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for visualizing geospatial data on maps face challenges when large data sets are mapped at certain scales, leading to visual clutter and the inability to reveal trends and patterns at smaller scales while maintaining the ability to identify individual markers.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that dynamically scales markers on a geographical map based on the map scale, using a correlation between the map scale and marker size to maintain visibility and reduce clutter, allowing trends and patterns to be revealed at smaller scales.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If markers are displayed at large sizes to ensure individual marker identification, then marker visibility is improved, but visual clutter increases at smaller map scales

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemarker visibilityVSAvoidvisual clutter

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic marker sizing where marker dimensions automatically adjust based on the current map zoom level. At higher zoom levels, markers are displayed larger for clear identification, while at lower zoom levels, markers are displayed smaller to reduce visual clutter. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making marker size a variable parameter rather than a fixed one.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the size parameter of markers based on the map scale parameter. By establishing a correlation between map scale and marker size, the system automatically adjusts marker dimensions to maintain visibility while preventing excessive clutter. This parameter change approach allows the same marker layer to function effectively across multiple map scales.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If markers are displayed at small sizes to reduce visual clutter at smaller map scales, then visual clarity is improved, but the ability to identify individual markers at large scales is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisual clutterVSAvoidmarker identification capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic marker sizing where marker dimensions automatically adjust based on the current map zoom level. At higher zoom levels, markers are displayed larger for clear identification, while at lower zoom levels, markers are displayed smaller to reduce visual clutter. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making marker size a variable parameter rather than a fixed one.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the size parameter of markers based on the map scale parameter. By establishing a correlation between map scale and marker size, the system automatically adjusts marker dimensions to maintain visibility while preventing excessive clutter. This parameter change approach allows the same marker layer to function effectively across multiple map scales.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If fixed marker sizes are used across all map scales, then implementation simplicity is maintained, but trends and patterns cannot be revealed at smaller scales while maintaining individual marker identification

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescaling mechanism complexityVSAvoidtrend and pattern visibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the size parameter of markers based on the map scale parameter. By establishing a correlation between map scale and marker size, the system automatically adjusts marker dimensions to maintain visibility while preventing excessive clutter. This parameter change approach allows the same marker layer to function effectively across multiple map scales.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20250290768A1Dynamic scaling of geospatial data on maps

Publication Date: 2025.09.18 PALANTIR TECHNOLOGIES INC

AI summary

Methods, systems, and non-transitory computer readable media to display a geographical map overlaid with a marker layer comprising at least one marker; receive input from a user to change a zoom level of the geographical map from a first map scale to a second map scale; display the geographical map at the second map scale; and overlay the marker layer at the second map scale with the at least one marker at a second marker size. The second marker size is determined based on a correlation between the second map scale and the second marker size, in which (i) the second marker size is increased or decreased in the same direction as the second map scale when the second map scale is within a range from low threshold point to high threshold point.