Map Collaboration View Area Visualization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current map collaboration systems fail to provide real-time awareness of other users' view areas on large maps and do not allow users to easily jump to other users' locations, lacking visual representation of active users' positions.
Innovation Solution
A customizable icon system is implemented in both two-dimensional and three-dimensional map environments, allowing users to see the areas displayed by others and jump to their locations, with visual representations like polygons or pyramids indicating view ranges, and enabling real-time location tracking and switching between different map types during sessions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If current map collaboration systems display only the current location of each user, then the system complexity is reduced, but the users cannot see what portions of the map other users are viewing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses different colored polygons to represent different users' view areas on the map. Each user's view area is displayed as a semi-transparent polygon with a specific color, allowing multiple users' view areas to be visualized simultaneously without excessive complexity. This visual encoding method efficiently communicates spatial information about what portions of the map each user is viewing.
2Loss of information
If visual representations of view areas are added to the map, then users can see other users' view portions, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent displays only the essential visual information needed for collaboration - semi-transparent polygons representing view areas and icons for user locations. Rather than showing all possible map data, the system selectively displays partial information (view areas) that is most relevant for collaboration, avoiding excessive complexity while maintaining effective awareness.
Solution Approach 2:
The view areas are represented as semi-transparent polygons that act as visual overlays on the map. These thin film-like visual elements allow users to see through the polygons to the underlying map features while simultaneously perceiving the boundaries of other users' view areas, providing information without blocking the view or adding excessive complexity.
3Productivity
If users can jump to other users' locations, then collaboration efficiency improves, but the system requires more complex interaction mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-calculates and stores the geographic coordinates of each user's current view area. When a user clicks on another user's icon or view area polygon, the system instantly navigates to the stored coordinates without requiring complex real-time calculations or multiple interaction steps. This preliminary preparation enables efficient jumping to other users' locations.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the system supports both 2D and 3D map environments, then the adaptability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal view area representation system that works across both 2D and 3D map environments. The same polygon-based visual representation and interaction mechanisms are used in both map types, allowing the system to support multiple environments without requiring separate complex implementations for each. The view area polygons adapt to the dimensional context while maintaining consistent functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
A system displays a map of a geographic area and an icon on a device associated with a first user. The icon represents a second user. The system further displays an indication on the device associated with the first user. The indication represents an area of the map displayed on a device associated with the second user. The system can further display a list of users on the device of the first user. The users on the list have devices associated with them and the devices associated with the users on the list display at least a portion of the map of the geographic area. The system receives input from the first user selecting a user from the list, and displays on the device associated with the first user the portion of the map of the geographic area that is displayed on the device associated with the user selected from the list.