Map Route Visual Disambiguation via Emphasized Polylines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current navigation systems do not effectively allow users to visually disambiguate multiple travel routes for a search term, making it difficult to select a point of interest without returning to a list of search results, as they lack sufficient information and clear differentiation between routes and roads.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for visual disambiguation that sends a map search request including a start location and search term to a map server, receives multiple routes, generates a multiple route style based on these routes and a road style, and simultaneously displays them on a user device, with emphasized route polylines and understated road polylines, along with start and end location labels, to facilitate route selection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple routes are displayed simultaneously with emphasized routing polylines and understated road polylines, then route distinguishability is improved, but rendering complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the visual properties of routing polylines from road polylines. Routing polylines are rendered with emphasized styles (thicker lines, distinct colors) while road polylines use understated styles, creating local visual differentiation that enhances route distinguishability without requiring complex global changes to the rendering system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes color changes and visual property modifications to distinguish routing polylines from road polylines. By applying different colors, line thicknesses, and visual emphasis to routing polylines versus road polylines, the system achieves clear route differentiation through visual property variation rather than complex rendering logic.
2Measurement precision
If end location labels are favored over road labels to avoid intersections, then label clarity is improved, but information completeness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-planning label placement strategies before rendering. The system determines in advance which labels (end location labels versus road labels) should be favored and positioned to avoid intersections, rather than attempting to resolve conflicts during the rendering process. This proactive approach maintains label clarity while preserving information completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter changes by adjusting label positioning parameters and rendering priorities. When end location labels are favored over road labels, the system modifies positioning parameters to prevent intersections, dynamically adjusting label placement based on the chosen rendering priority without losing essential information.
3Loss of information
If travel time labels are included for each route, then information completeness is improved, but visual clutter increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by selectively displaying travel time labels for routes based on user needs and context. Rather than showing all possible information for every route simultaneously, the system provides travel time labels in a controlled manner, showing essential information while avoiding excessive visual clutter through selective information presentation.
4Measurement precision
If users must return to search results list to select different points of interest, then navigation accuracy is improved, but user efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the route display functionality with the point of interest selection functionality into a single unified view. By simultaneously displaying multiple routes with their respective end location labels on the map, users can directly select different points of interest from the route overview without returning to a separate search results list, combining what were previously separate operations into one efficient workflow.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, computer programs, and user interfaces are provided to send a map search request including a start location and a search term to a map server, receive a number of routes, each of the routes describing a route from the start location to one of a number of potential destinations, receive a road style for rendering roads in a map extent encompassing the routes, and simultaneously display the routes based on a multiple route style.