Interactive Visual Map File for External Applications
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current visual mapping systems restrict users from sharing and interacting with visual maps across different applications, as they require proprietary software for viewing and editing, with PDF files being static and non-interactive.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that enables the creation of a visual map file with embedded software code, allowing interaction within external applications, such as PDF viewers or web browsers, by including visual mapping functionality, enabling features like expansion, scrolling, and editing, and optionally linking to a web service for dynamic data updates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If visual maps are saved as PDF files for sharing, then the files can be viewed by anyone, but the files become static and non-interactive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a visual map player as an intermediary component that bridges PDF files and visual map functionality. The player embeds executable code within the PDF that enables interactivity (expand/collapse topics, scroll, zoom) while maintaining PDF format compatibility, allowing external applications to display interactive maps without requiring proprietary visual mapping software
Solution Approach 2:
The visual map player implements multiple functions within a single PDF file structure, combining static document viewing with dynamic visual map interactions. The embedded code enables various operations (navigation, manipulation, printing) that would normally require separate applications, making the PDF universally usable across different platforms and applications
2Adaptability or versatility
If proprietary visual mapping software is used to create and view visual maps, then full functionality is available, but other users cannot view or interact with the maps without the same software
Solution Approach 1:
The visual map player acts as a mediator that eliminates the need for proprietary visual mapping software on recipient systems. By embedding the necessary functionality directly in the PDF file through an executable player component, the system enables cross-platform compatibility while maintaining full visual map functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent embeds a copy of the visual mapping functionality within the PDF file itself through the visual map player. This self-contained copy of the required software components allows the visual map to be viewed and interacted with anywhere a PDF reader exists, without requiring the original proprietary application
3Adaptability or versatility
If all visual map data is included in the created file, then the file is self-contained, but the file size increases and updates require altering the file
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments visual map data into separate components stored at network addresses rather than embedding all data within the PDF. The visual map player contains only the necessary code structure and references, while actual map content is stored externally and retrieved dynamically, reducing file size and enabling independent updates
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary setup by storing visual map data at designated network addresses during file creation. The created file includes pre-configured references to these locations, enabling the visual map player to automatically retrieve and display current data without requiring file modifications for updates
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a system, method, and software program for enabling a user to view and interact with a visual map in an external application. According to one embodiment of the invention, a visual mapping application creates a file with (i) visual map data and (ii) software code capable of being executed by an external application to display the visual map and provide select visual mapping application in the external application. In one embodiment, such functionality includes the ability to expand and collapse map topics, scroll the map, zoom in and out, follow hypertext links in the map, find content in the map, and print the map. The created file can be thought of as a “visual map player” in that an external application can “play” the created file, resulting in a live map in the external application.