Dynamic View-Based Data Layer in a Geographic Information System

• US 20130132375A1
• Filed: 01/08/2013
• Published: 05/23/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Google Inc. (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Jones, Michael T., Rohlf, John, McClendon, Brian
• Granted Patent: US 9,471,625 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 707/722
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/2425 Iterative querying; Query formulation based on the results of a preceding query
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/2428 Query predicate definition using graphical user interfaces, including menus and forms G06F16/2423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/248 Presentation of query results
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/284 Relational databases
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/29 Geographical information databases
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/338 Presentation of query results
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9038 Presentation of query results
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/951 Indexing; Web crawling techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9535 Search customisation based on user profiles and personalisation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9537 Spatial or temporal dependent retrieval, e.g. spatiotemporal queries
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9538 Presentation of query results
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04815 Interaction with a metaphor-based environment or interaction object displayed as three-dimensional, e.g. changing the user viewpoint with respect to the environment or object
• CPC Class Codes: G06N 7/01 Probabilistic graphical models, e.g. probabilistic networks
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/00 Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 17/05 Geographic models

Abstract

Interactive geographic information systems (GIS) and techniques are disclosed that provide users with a greater degree of flexibility, utility, and information. A markup language is provided that facilitates communication between servers and clients of the interactive GIS, which enables a number of GIS features, such as network links (time-based and/or view-dependent dynamic data layers), ground overlays, screen overlays, placemarks, 3D models, and stylized GIS elements, such as geometry, icons, description balloons, polygons, and labels in the viewer by which the user sees the target area. Also, “virtual tours” of user-defined paths in the context of distributed geospatial visualization is enabled. Streaming and interactive visualization of filled polygon data are also enabled thereby allowing buildings and other such features to be provided in 3D. Also, techniques for enabling ambiguous search requests in a GIS are provided.

Claims

1. A method for generating geospatial search queries in a client device, the method comprising:

displaying a digital map within a current view;

storing a search query including (i) search terms and (ii) a geospatial search region corresponding to the current view;

detecting a change in the current view;

in response to detecting the change, automatically modifying the search query to include an updated geospatial search region; and

providing the modified search query to a search server.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein providing the modified search query to the search server is carried out only in response to the detected change being greater than a predefined threshold.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising receiving results of the modified search query.

4. The method of claim 3 further comprising:

rendering the results of the modified search query into contents of a modified digital map; and

displaying the modified digital map on the client device.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein automatically modifying the search query is delayed by a predefined period.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising receiving input from a user causing the change in the current view by changing a view position, changing a view orientation, or changing a view specification.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein input from the user is received via a pan control, a tilt control, a rotation control, or a zoom control of the client device.

8. A machine-readable medium encoded with instructions, that when executed on by a processor, cause the processor to carry out a process involving generating geospatial search queries in a client device, the instructions comprising:

displaying a digital map within a current view;

storing a search query including (i) search terms and (ii) a geospatial search region corresponding to the current view;

detecting a change in the current view;

in response to detecting the change, automatically modifying the search query to include an updated geospatial search region; and

providing the modified search query to a search server.

9. The machine-readable medium of claim 8 wherein the instruction providing the modified search query to the search server is carried out only in response to the detected change being greater than a predefined threshold.

10. The machine-readable medium of claim 8 wherein the instructions further comprising receiving results of the modified search query.

11. The machine-readable medium of claim 10 wherein the instructions further comprising:

rendering the results of the modified search query into contents of a modified digital map; and

displaying the modified digital map on the client device.

12. The machine-readable medium of claim 8 wherein the instruction automatically modifying the search query is delayed by a predefined period.

13. The machine-readable medium of claim 8 further comprising receiving input from a user causing the change in the current view by changing a view position, changing a view orientation, or changing a view specification.

14. The machine-readable medium of claim 13 wherein input from the user is received via a pan control, a tilt control, a rotation control, or a zoom control of the client device.