Map Search Result Display Optimization for Mobile Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing map display technologies on mobile devices suffer from loss of location context due to high zoom levels, panning, and visual overlay of search results, making it difficult for users to distinguish and absorb information effectively, especially on small screens.
Innovation Solution
A computer system and method that computes a composite score using scoring functions, visibility functions, and zoom level distribution to optimize map display, ensuring search results are centered and minimize overlap, incorporating user preferences and empirical data to provide an optimal graphical representation on handheld devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If all search results are displayed on the map, then the quantity of information is improved, but the visual overlay and information loss worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the map display into multiple zoom levels, showing different numbers of results at different scales. At higher zoom levels, fewer results are displayed to avoid overlap, while at lower zoom levels, more results can be shown. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to display an appropriate quantity of results without causing visual overlay.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of zoom level and result display based on the number of search results. When there are many results, the system automatically adjusts to a higher zoom level to prevent overlap; when there are fewer results, it uses a lower zoom level to show more context. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction adaptively.
2Quantity of substance
If the zoom level is increased to show more results, then the quantity of visible results is improved, but the loss of location context worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically selects the appropriate zoom level based on the number of search results and the viewport size. It calculates an optimal zoom level that maximizes the number of visible results while preserving sufficient location context, rather than using a fixed high zoom level that would lose context.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the zoom level parameter adaptively based on the search results quantity. By adjusting this critical parameter, the system resolves the contradiction between showing more results and maintaining location context, finding the optimal balance for each search scenario.
3Shape
If panning is used to adjust map view, then the distribution of results is improved, but the loss of location context worsens
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of panning the map to improve result distribution (which loses context), the patent inverts the approach by adjusting the zoom level to achieve proper distribution. By changing the scale rather than the position, the system maintains the original map center and location context while still achieving good result distribution.
4Quantity of substance
If outlier results are included in the map view, then the completeness of search results is improved, but the visual overlay and information loss worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the display of outlier results by using higher zoom levels when outliers are present. This segmentation prevents outlier results from causing visual overlay with other results, while still including them in the display. The system calculates the appropriate zoom level to accommodate all results including outliers without overlap.
Data Source
AI summary
A search engine computer system is configured to produce an optimized display of maps especially useful in mobile handheld devices with comparatively small screens. The system factors in scoring functions, visibility, and empirical data on map levels to provide optimal map based results to users. This minimizes or avoids graphical results that overlap each other.