GIS Cluster Data Display Grid Segmentation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) face challenges with data overload, leading to cluttered interfaces and increased processing burdens, as they handle large quantities of geographically-referenced data, which can result in user confusion and sluggish performance, especially when displaying clusters of data points.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a system that offloads cluster processing from the GIS by using a server to receive and cluster data, dividing the user interface into a grid to prevent overlapping graphics, and throttling data updates based on a threshold value to reduce bandwidth usage while maintaining situational awareness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If all available geographically-referenced data is displayed in the GIS interface, then complete situational awareness is achieved, but the user interface becomes cluttered and difficult to interpret

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesituational awarenessVSAvoidinterface clarity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the display area into a grid of portions and segments data into clusters assigned to specific grid portions. Each cluster represents multiple data points grouped together, allowing the system to display comprehensive information while maintaining interface clarity through organized segmentation of data into manageable visual units.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If clustering algorithms are implemented to reduce displayed data points, then interface clutter is reduced, but large quantities of data must still be received and processed by the GIS

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterface clarityVSAvoiddata processing burden

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs clustering operations in advance on the server before data is transmitted to the GIS client device. By pre-processing and organizing data into clusters server-side, the system reduces the processing burden on the GIS while ensuring interface clarity, as clustered data is already organized when it reaches the display system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a server as an intermediary between the data source and the GIS client device. The server receives raw data, performs clustering operations, and transmits only the clustered results to the GIS, thereby reducing the processing burden on the GIS while maintaining interface clarity through pre-organized data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If cluster graphics are displayed to represent multiple data points, then data processing load is reduced, but cluster graphics may overlap and become difficult to discern

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata processing loadVSAvoidvisual discrimination

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the display area into a grid of portions and assigns each cluster to a specific grid portion, ensuring that cluster graphics do not overlap. This segmentation approach maintains visual discrimination by providing clear spatial boundaries for each cluster while still reducing data processing load through clustering.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different display characteristics to different grid portions based on local conditions. Each grid portion can display clusters with appropriate visual properties tailored to its specific context, improving visual discrimination by ensuring that clusters in different locations have optimized display characteristics for their local environment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Loss of information

If data updates are transmitted frequently to maintain real-time situational awareness, then current information is provided, but bandwidth usage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation currencyVSAvoidbandwidth usage

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transmits only partial data updates - specifically, only those clusters that have changed since the last transmission. By sending only the necessary subset of updated cluster data rather than all data, the system maintains information currency while significantly reducing bandwidth usage through selective data transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS9081796B2Methods and apparatuses for providing and displaying cluster data

Publication Date: 2015.07.14 RAYTHEON CO

AI summary

Embodiments of a method and apparatus for providing cluster data are generally described herein. In some embodiments, the method includes receiving, from a geographic information system (GIS) client device, geographical coordinates of a viewable extent of the GIS client device. The method may include dividing the viewable extent into portions. The method may include receiving geographically-referenced data points. The method may include determining the portions of the viewable extent in which the data points are located. The method may include transmitting, to the GIS client device, clustering information for the portions. The clustering information may be generated based on the data points determined to be within the portions. Other embodiments are also described.