Overhead Image Viewing Interface with Dynamic Map Context
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for viewing and managing overhead images, such as satellite images, lack seamless integration with geographic maps, making it difficult for users to browse and select images while maintaining context, especially when navigating or searching for new regions.
Innovation Solution
An overhead image viewing system with a user interface that dynamically retrieves and displays images corresponding to a geographic region of interest, allowing users to browse and select images while maintaining context on a map, with features like automatic re-centering and filtering options, and the ability to view detailed information or purchase images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If users browse overhead images through separate image galleries, then they can view image details, but they lose geographic context and must manually search for new regions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the map display and overhead image gallery into a single integrated interface. The gallery is positioned within the map view area, allowing users to browse images while simultaneously seeing their geographic location and context on the map, eliminating the need to switch between separate views
Solution Approach 2:
The map serves as an intermediary that connects image browsing with geographic context. By displaying images as overlays or thumbnails within the map view, the system maintains the geographic reference frame while providing access to image details, acting as a mediator between the two functions
2Adaptability or versatility
If users navigate to new geographic regions on the map, then they can explore different areas, but they must manually search for available images in each region
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically detecting the current map view and pre-loading or pre-displaying available overhead images for that region before the user explicitly searches for them. This allows images to be immediately visible and selectable when the user navigates to a new area
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides continuous feedback by monitoring map navigation and dynamically updating the displayed image gallery to reflect available images for the current view. This real-time feedback loop ensures the image selection is always relevant to the user's current geographic focus without requiring manual refresh or search
3Loss of information
If the system displays detailed information for selected images, then users can make informed selections, but the interface complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments image information display into hierarchical levels: basic image data is shown in the gallery thumbnails, while detailed information is presented in separate pop-up panels or side panels. This segmentation allows comprehensive information availability without cluttering the main browsing interface
Solution Approach 2:
The system adds a spatial dimension to information display by using overlay panels or sidebars that extend the interface into additional screen space. This allows detailed image information to be displayed without interfering with the primary map and gallery view, effectively using another dimensional space for additional content
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for providing a user interface for searching, browsing, and ordering overhead (e.g. aircraft or satellite) imagery are provided. The user interface provides a map and search bar for searching and browsing images. Images may be presented to a user based on a selected and/or displayed geographic region of interest. Browsing to a different geographic region of interest may dynamically and automatically update the images presented. The user interface allows the user to select an image for viewing and/or purchase. Selection of an image overlays the image on the map, aligned with the geographic region which the image captures. Closing the selected image re-centers and re-zooms to the original display. Presented images can be filtered based on several criteria. Images can include still images and/or videos.