Map Magnifier Segmentation for Context Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional digital map zooming techniques result in lag due to data download and rendering, causing users to lose map context, and existing magnification solutions are limited and inconvenient, especially on mobile devices.
Innovation Solution
A novel user-interactive map magnifier that displays a magnified portion of the map at a higher zoom level with interactive elements, allowing users to focus on details without zooming the entire map, maintaining context and enabling easy navigation and information retrieval.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the user zooms in on a specific map location to view details, then the map detail viewability is improved, but the map context is lost and additional lag occurs due to data download and rendering
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the map into two separate viewing zones: a magnified portion showing detailed view and a normal portion showing contextual overview. This segmentation allows users to access detailed map information without triggering a full map reload, thereby reducing lag time while maintaining both detail viewability and contextual awareness simultaneously
2Measurement precision
If the user zooms in on a specific map location to view details, then the map detail viewability is improved, but the general context is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The map display is segmented into a magnified portion and a normal portion, allowing users to view detailed information in the magnified zone while simultaneously maintaining contextual awareness through the normal portion showing the broader map area. This resolves the contradiction by preserving both detail viewability and general context without requiring the user to zoom out
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a spatial dimension by displaying the magnified map portion as an overlay or separate viewable area alongside the normal map portion. This dimensional arrangement enables users to perceive both detailed and contextual information simultaneously, eliminating the need to zoom out to regain context
3Adaptability or versatility
If the user zooms in and out repeatedly to examine multiple points of interest, then the ability to view multiple locations is improved, but the user experience becomes inconvenient and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic switching between different map portions through interactive elements. Users can transition between viewing different points of interest by interacting with the interface, which dynamically loads the appropriate magnified portion without requiring manual zooming operations. This dynamic behavior maintains ease of operation while enabling versatile exploration of multiple locations
Data Source
AI summary
A method of magnifying a portion of a map displayed on a computing device includes displaying the map at a first zoom level and displaying a magnified portion of the map at a second zoom level. The magnified portion comprises an interactive map element. The magnified portion acts as a localized map magnifier. The magnified portion may be round to resemble a virtual magnifying glass. In certain implementations, multiple map magnifiers may be displayed simultaneously. Map magnifiers may be displayed, for example, at waypoints along a route, at map markers corresponding to points of interest or at the locations associated with search results.