Panoramic Image Map Overlay Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for displaying panoramic imagery, such as Google Maps' Street View, are cumbersome for navigating between non-adjacent images and fail to efficiently allow users to view points-of-interest within the surrounding geographic area.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method that superimposes a map with travel way data over panoramic images, orienting it based on the viewing angle, allowing users to navigate between images by interacting with the map, and providing detailed information about entities within the area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If navigation buttons are used to move between panoramic images, then the system maintains simple interface design, but the user cannot quickly navigate between non-adjacent images and the operation becomes cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional linear navigation (adjacent images only) to two-dimensional map-based navigation, allowing users to navigate to any location in the geographic area by selecting points on the map overlay, thereby enabling direct access to non-adjacent panoramic images
Solution Approach 2:
The map overlay serves multiple functions: it acts as a navigation tool for jumping to specific locations, provides contextual information about the geographic area, and enables users to locate points of interest, replacing the need for sequential button-based navigation
2Loss of information
If panoramic views are centered around a geographic area of interest, then the user can view the location from ground level perspective, but the user cannot efficiently view points of interest located within the surrounding geographic area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the panoramic image view with an overlay map showing the surrounding geographic area and points of interest, allowing users to simultaneously see both the ground-level perspective and the contextual location of points of interest without switching views
Solution Approach 2:
The overlay map acts as an intermediary between the panoramic view and the surrounding geographic area, providing a visual representation of points of interest and enabling users to navigate to them while maintaining the immersive panoramic experience
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect, a computer-implemented method is disclosed for providing geographic imagery. The method may include receiving, at a computing device, a request for a geographic image, wherein the geographic image depicts at least a portion of a selected location within a geographic area. In addition, the method may include presenting, with the computing device, the geographic image and superimposing a map including normalized travel way data associated with the geographic area over at least a portion of the geographic image.