Map GUI Dynamic Destination Visibility Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional travel information graphical user interfaces often obscure less popular destinations on a map when more popular ones are displayed, making it difficult for users to visualize and compare travel options effectively.

Innovation Solution

A system that identifies and ranks candidate destinations based on user interaction with a map GUI, automatically deselects obscured destinations by higher-ranked ones, and adjusts the display of location indicators to prioritize visibility of selected destinations, ensuring that only non-obscured destinations are shown based on zoom level and position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If multiple destination location indicators are displayed on the map simultaneously, then more travel options are visible to users, but visual clutter increases and less popular destinations become obscured by more popular ones

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisibility of destination optionsVSAvoidvisual clarity of map interface

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts which destination location indicators are displayed based on user interactions with the map. When users zoom in or out, or pan the map, the system recalculates which destinations should be visible and updates the display accordingly. This dynamic adaptation allows the interface to maintain visual clarity while maximizing information display based on current user focus areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies different display rules to different regions of the map based on local conditions. Destinations are selectively displayed or hidden depending on their specific location, the zoom level, and whether they would be obscured by other destinations. This local quality approach ensures that each area of the map is optimized for clarity while collectively displaying comprehensive travel options.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Loss of information

If all candidate destinations are displayed on the map, then users have complete information for comparison, but the interface becomes cluttered and harder to navigate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompleteness of travel optionsVSAvoidcomplexity of map interface

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system displays a partial set of destinations rather than all candidate destinations simultaneously. It selectively displays only those destinations that are relevant to the current user focus area, determined by zoom level and map position. This partial display approach maintains interface simplicity while ensuring that all potentially relevant destinations are available for display as users explore different areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system segments the display of destinations based on spatial and contextual criteria. Instead of presenting a unified list of all destinations, it divides them into visible and hidden groups based on whether they would be obscured by other destinations. This segmentation allows the interface to manage complexity by organizing destinations into manageable display groups that adapt to user interactions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Measurement precision

If the map displays detailed information about popular destinations, then users can make informed decisions, but less popular destinations become even more obscured

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetail level of destination informationVSAvoidvisibility of less popular destinations

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes display parameters dynamically based on destination popularity and spatial relationships. When a destination would be obscured by a more popular destination, the system adjusts its visibility parameter to hide it, preventing visual clutter. This parameter change ensures that detailed information is displayed for visible destinations while maintaining overall map clarity and preventing the obscuration of less popular destinations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS10817807B2Graphical user interface to reduce obscured features

Publication Date: 2020.10.27 GOOGLE LLC

AI summary

In responsive to receiving a user interaction with a map graphical user interface (GUI) of a client device, the system identifies an origin, and determines a map zoom level and map position based on the interaction. The system identifies and ranks candidate destinations for the origin. The system automatically selects destinations from the ranked candidates for inclusion in the map based on the zoom level and the position. Each selected destination for which a destination location indicator would be obscured in the map by an indicator of a higher ranked destination is automatically determined by the system. The system then deselects each destination for which a location indicator has been determined to be obscured by an indicator of a higher ranked destination, forming a revised set of destinations. The system transmits instructions to display a location indicator for each destination in the revised set to the client device.