Browsing Large Geocoded Datasets Using Nested Shapes

• US 20160299901A1
• Filed: 06/23/2016
• Published: 10/13/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/29/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Google Inc. (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Jones, Michael Timothy, Charaniya, Amin Pyarali
• Application Number:
  US15/191,114
• Publication Number:
  US 20160299901A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3667 Display of a road map G01C21/3614 takes precedence; guidance using 3D or perspective road maps G01C21/3635
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/24578 using ranking
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/29 Geographical information databases
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/444 Spatial browsing, e.g. 2D maps, 3D or virtual spaces
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04817 using icons graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 11/00 2D [Two Dimensional] image generation
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 11/60 Editing figures and text; Combining figures or text
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 29/007 using computer methods

Abstract

A geographic information system and method are disclosed which facilitate the browsing of large geocoded datasets. In a embodiment, a method displays data elements on a map. The method includes the steps: identifying data elements of a dataset that geocode to an area of the map; arranging the data elements into one or more nested shapes; determining a coordinate for the one or more nested shapes; and displaying the one or more nested shapes on the map centered on the coordinate. The coordinate corresponds to the area of the map.

Claims

1. A method for displaying data elements on a map, comprising:

(a) identifying data elements of a dataset that geocode to an area of the map;

(b) arranging the data elements identified in (a) into one or more nested shapes;

(c) determining a coordinate for the one or more nested shapes, wherein the coordinate corresponds to the area in (a); and

(d) displaying the one or more nested shapes on the map based on the coordinate.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining the area of map according to a zoom level associated with the map, wherein the area of the map is larger if the map is zoomed out and smaller if the map is zoomed in.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the arranging of step (b) comprises arranging the data elements identified in (a) into one or more concentric circles.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the arranging of step (b) comprises:

(i) determining whether a number of data elements in the set of data elements exceeds a threshold;

(ii) determining a first set and a second set from the data elements if the number of data elements in the set of data elements exceeds a threshold;

(iii) arranging the first set into a first nested shape; and

(iv) arranging the second set into a second nested shape located within the first nested shape.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the determining of step (ii) comprises determining whether each data element is in the first set or the second set according to a relevant score of the data element.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the determining of step (ii) comprises determining whether each data element is in the first set or the second set according to a property of the data element.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the displaying of step (d) includes displaying an icon for each data element in the one or more nested shapes on the map.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising displaying a textual message describing a particular data element in the one or more nested shapes in response to a user input hovering over an icon for the particular data element.

9. The method of claim 7, further comprising displaying an information balloon window describing in detail a particular data element in the one or more nested shapes in response to a user input selecting an icon for the particular data element.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the displaying of step (d) includes displaying the one or more nested shapes on the map centered on the coordinate.

11. A geographic information system for displaying data elements on a map, comprising:

an area module that identifies data elements of a dataset that geocode to an area of the map;

an arranger module that arranges the data elements identified in (a) into one or more nested shapes;

a coordinate module that determines a coordinate for the one or more nested shapes, wherein the coordinate corresponds to the area in (a); and

a display module that displays the one or more nested shapes on the map based on the coordinate.

12. The system of claim 11, further comprising a module that determines the area of map according to a zoom level associated with the map, wherein the area of the map is larger if the map is zoomed out and smaller if the map is zoomed in.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the arranger module arranges the data elements identified in (a) into one or more concentric circles.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the arranger module determines whether a number of data elements in the set of data elements exceeds a threshold, determines a first set and a second set from the data elements if the number of data elements in the set of data elements exceeds a threshold and arranges the first set into a first nested shape and arranges the second set into a second nested shape located within the first nested shape.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the arranger module determines whether each data element is in the first set or the second set according to a relevant score of the data element.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the arranger module determines whether each data element is in the first set or the second set according to a property of the data element.

17. The system of claim 11, wherein the display module displays an icon for each data element in the one or more nested shapes on the map centered on the coordinate.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the display module displays a textual message describing a particular data element in the one or more nested shapes in response to a user input hovering over an icon for the particular data element.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein the display module displays an information balloon window describing in detail a particular data element in the one or more nested shapes in response to a user input selecting an icon for the particular data element.

20. The system of claim 11, wherein the display module that displays the one or more nested shapes on the map centered on the coordinate.