Map Access Point Ranking for Entrance-Level Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mapping services often fail to provide users with location information that is of additional interest, such as multiple entrances or access points to a physical entity, which may be hundreds of meters away from the resolved map address.
Innovation Solution
A server determines map query suggestions that identify physical entities with multiple access locations, ranks these access locations, and provides them in a format that displays them subordinate to the entity icon, allowing users to select and view routes to these access points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If mapping services provide only the resolved map address for a physical entity, then the information is simple and easy to process, but the user does not receive location information that may be of additional interest (such as multiple entrances hundreds of meters away)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the location information for a physical entity into multiple distinct access points, each with its own coordinates and characteristics. Instead of providing a single resolved map address, the system divides the location data into primary location and multiple alternative access locations, allowing users to select the most appropriate entry point for their specific needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a dimensional layer to location information by introducing access point coordinates as a secondary dimension alongside the primary entity location. This creates a hierarchical structure where each physical entity has a main location and multiple associated access points at different spatial coordinates, enabling users to navigate to the specific entrance or access point that best serves their purpose.
2Ease of operation
If mapping services display multiple access locations for a physical entity, then users gain access to refined location information, but the interface complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by automatically identifying and organizing multiple access points for each physical entity before the user even requests the information. The system pre-processes location data to extract alternative entrances, parking areas, and access points, structuring them in readiness for user selection. This eliminates the need for users to manually search for access points or perform additional queries.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer between the physical entity and the user interface - a structured data model that represents access points as distinct entities with their own coordinates and attributes. This intermediary structure allows the system to present multiple access locations in a organized, easy-to-navigate format without overwhelming the user interface, as the complexity is managed at the data organization level rather than the display level.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for identifying and navigating to an access point includes receiving a map query; identifying a point of interest that satisfies the map query; identifying multiple access points that have previously been associated with the point of interest; ranking the multiple access points based on user data indicative of a user-specific utility associated with the multiple access points; in response to receiving the map query, providing, for output, a map including: a selectable first icon for the point of interest that satisfies the map query, and a selectable second icon for a first access point among the ranked multiple access points, the selectable second icon being configured to, when selected, invoke a process for returning navigation directions to the first access point; receiving data indicating that the selectable second icon has been selected; and providing, for output, directions based on the selectable second icon that has been selected.