Geo-Contextual Navigation Widget for 3D Map Interfaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing 3D map navigation tools require significant user input and can lead to loss of geo-context, making it difficult for users to efficiently navigate and understand their location within a three-dimensional body.

Innovation Solution

An interactive, three-dimensionally rendered interface featuring a geo-contextual widget that adjusts based on user input, providing visual indicators to maintain geo-context and reduce the number of inputs required for navigation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional 3D map navigation interface is used, then navigation functionality is provided, but user input requirements increase and geo-context is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenavigation efficiencyVSAvoiduser input time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

A mini-map widget is introduced as an intermediary element between the user and the main 3D map view. This widget provides a simplified overview of the geographic area, showing the current location and surrounding context. Users can interact with this widget to quickly navigate to different areas without manipulating the complex main view, thereby reducing input time while maintaining geo-context awareness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The navigation interface is segmented into multiple functional components: the main 3D map view for detailed exploration and a separate mini-map widget for overview and quick navigation. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in specific tasks, improving overall navigation efficiency while preventing information overload in any single view.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If detailed 3D map navigation is provided, then location precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocation accuracyVSAvoidinterface complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Different parts of the interface provide different levels of detail and interaction complexity. The mini-map widget offers a simplified, high-level overview with basic navigation controls, while the main 3D map view provides detailed, precise location information for users who need it. This local differentiation of quality allows the system to maintain high location accuracy without requiring the entire interface to be complex.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Loss of information

If continuous display is maintained for navigation, then navigational context is preserved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegeo-context retentionVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The mini-map widget refreshes and updates at periodic intervals based on user interaction and navigation state changes, rather than continuously redrawing. This periodic update approach maintains the displayed geo-context information while significantly reducing the energy consumption associated with continuous screen rendering and processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP3491626A1Interactive GEO-contextual navigation tool
Publication Date: 2019.06.05 GOOGLE LLC

AI summary

Systems, apparatuses, and methods for providing an interactive, geo-contextual interface are provided. In one embodiment, a method can include providing a user interface for display on a display device. The user interface can include a display area for presenting visual content, the visual content representing an original location on a three-dimensional body. The method can include providing an interactive widget for display on the display device. The widget can be represented as three-dimensional and having an appearance corresponding to the three-dimensional body. The method can include receiving data indicative of a user input directed to at least one of the user interface display area and the widget. The method can include adjusting at least one of the visual content, the widget, and the visual indicator based at least in part on the data indicative of the user input.