Map Label Orientation and Collision Management
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing map-based applications struggle to render map labels effectively, particularly when the map is rotated, as labels may appear upside down or collide with each other, leading to confusion and readability issues.
Innovation Solution
A novel mapping application that intelligently places and renders map labels by rotating certain labels to maintain their orientation, preventing collisions by determining optimal layouts, and using techniques like bounding shapes and collision detection to ensure labels are displayed correctly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If map labels are rotated along with the map view, then the labels maintain their relative orientation to map elements, but the labels may appear upside down and become difficult to read
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different orientation behaviors to different types of map labels based on their specific characteristics. Some labels rotate with the map view to maintain relative orientation, while others remain upright to ensure readability. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by allowing each label type to optimize for its specific function rather than applying a uniform rotation rule to all labels.
2Loss of information
If map labels are placed densely to provide comprehensive information, then more map elements are labeled, but labels collide and overlap making them confusing and illegible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves label collisions by utilizing multiple dimensions for label placement. When labels would collide in the primary 2D map view, the system places additional labels in alternative positions or orientations, effectively using the dimensional space around the map area to maintain information completeness while avoiding overlapping that would reduce legibility.
3Shape
If map labels are rotated to follow road curvature, then labels align with road direction, but labels may become distorted or collide with other labels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial rotation to labels based on the degree of road curvature. Rather than fully rotating labels to match sharp curves (which would cause distortion and collisions), the system selectively rotates labels only when necessary to maintain alignment, and uses alternative placement strategies when full rotation would compromise label clarity or cause collisions with other labels.
Data Source
AI summary
Some embodiments provide a mapping application that displays a rotation of a 3D map and corresponding rotation of a set of map labels overlaying the 3D map in response to receiving input to rotate the 3D map. When a particular map label in the set of map labels rotates towards an upside down orientation, the mapping application also replaces the particular map label with a version of the particular map label arranged in a right side up orientation to prevent the particular map label from being displayed in the upside down orientation in the 3D map.