POI Clustering Map Tile Search System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current nearby search systems on smartphones struggle to meet diverse user search conditions, particularly in high-density areas, as they fail to display all search results and allow only single business type searches, making it difficult for users to select specific points of interest (POIs) and perform joint searches between business types and titles.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that uses a POI scheme to display search results on a map, dividing the map into tiles and distinguishing search result icons by size based on the number of results in each tile, allowing multiple business type searches and joint searches between titles, and providing additional information upon user selection, while also considering visit history to highlight popular results.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If all search results are displayed in high-density areas, then completeness of information is improved, but display complexity and user selection difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments search results by dividing the map into multiple tiles and clustering POIs within each tile. Instead of displaying all results as individual markers that overlap, the system groups them into manageable sections, allowing users to navigate through segments to find specific POIs while maintaining information completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary clustering mechanism that acts as a mediator between the large number of search results and the user interface. The clustering system aggregates multiple POIs into representative markers with indicators showing the number of results, reducing visual clutter while preserving access to all underlying data through expansion or selection.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional nearby search function is used, then single business type search is performed, but ability to perform multiple business type searches and joint searches decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal search system that can handle multiple business types and joint searches between business types and titles simultaneously. The search interface allows users to specify multiple categories and perform combined searches, making the system adaptable to various search needs without requiring separate functions for each search type.
3Quantity of substance
If search results are overlapped in high-density areas, then all results can be included, but visibility and recognizability of individual results decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses visual differentiation through color coding and styling to distinguish overlapped search results. Different business types or categories are represented with distinct colors or visual characteristics, allowing users to detect and differentiate between multiple POIs even when their markers overlap on the map display.
Data Source
AI summary
A nearby search method implemented with a computer includes verifying search request information entered through an electronic device, displaying a map screen on a screen of the electronic device, verifying a search result to be displayed on the map screen according to the verified search request information, dividing the map screen into a plurality of tiles, and displaying a search result, included in each of the divided tiles, as one search result icon corresponding to each of the divided tiles and distinguishably displaying search result icons to be displayed on each of the divided tiles according to the number of search results included in one tile.