Map Display Overlaying Time-Based Representation on Location Map
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional geographical maps inadequately represent travel time and other factors, requiring users to refer to additional information for decision-making, which slows down the presentation of relevant information and hinders immediate estimation of destination accessibility.
Innovation Solution
A method that overlays a location-based representation with a time-based or cost-based representation on the same screen, using polar coordinates and symbols to visually indicate the accessibility of destination locations relative to the starting point, allowing users to quickly discern travel time or costs without altering the geographical scale.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a conventional true-to-scale map is used to represent location distances, then the geographical accuracy and spatial relationships are preserved, but the travel time and other non-spatial factors cannot be visually represented, requiring users to refer to additional information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a conventional geographical map representation with an additional time-based or cost-based representation layer. This allows both spatial information (true-to-scale distances) and temporal/cost information to be displayed simultaneously on the same map, eliminating the need for separate additional information sources and enabling users to visually assess both distance and travel time/cost for destination locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new dimension to the traditional two-dimensional geographical map by incorporating time-based or cost-based scaling. This creates a multi-dimensional representation where locations are positioned not only by geographical coordinates but also by their temporal or cost distance from the starting point, allowing users to perceive multiple factors simultaneously.
2Productivity
If additional information such as travel time and travel costs is displayed as text-based data, then comprehensive information is provided, but the information presentation speed decreases and users cannot immediately estimate destination accessibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses color coding to represent different levels of accessibility. Locations that can be reached within a certain time or cost threshold are highlighted with specific colors (e.g., green for accessible, yellow for moderate, red for distant/expensive). This allows users to immediately grasp destination accessibility at a glance without reading numerical data, significantly improving information presentation speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms abstract numerical parameters (travel time in minutes, cost in euros) into visual parameters (position distance, color intensity, symbol size). By changing the representation from numerical to visual parameters, the system enables immediate human perception and estimation of accessibility without requiring users to process text-based data.
3Measurement precision
If the map scale is uniformly applied to represent all location distances, then geographical accuracy is maintained, but the visual representation does not reflect actual travel effort which varies due to traffic routing, traffic situations, and means of transport
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different scaling characteristics to different parts of the map based on local conditions. Instead of a uniform scale, the map dynamically adjusts the representation of distances based on local factors such as traffic conditions, road types, and available transport modes. Areas with better connectivity are compressed (showing fewer locations), while areas with poor connectivity are expanded, making the visual representation reflect actual travel effort rather than just geographical distance.
Data Source
AI summary
The method for displaying a starting point (1) and several destination locations (3) on a screen comprises the following steps:selecting a starting point (1) on a location-based representation, and representing the starting point as such on the screen;selecting several destination locations (3) and representing them as destination symbols in the location-based representation on the screen,setting a selection criterion for reaching the destination locations (3) starting from the starting point (1),calculating the position of the destination locations (3) in a time-based representation in accordance with the distance from the starting point and taking into account the selection criterion,displaying the destination locations (3) on the screen as destination symbols in the time-based representation, wherein the location-based representation still remains visible on the screen, the time-based representation being centered around the starting symbol, and the distance of the destination symbols in the time-based representation from the starting symbol being a function of the selection criterion, anddisplaying a relationship between the position of at least one of the individual destination symbols in the location-based representation and the associated destination symbol in the time-based representation.