Simplified creation of customized maps

• US 8,902,260 B2
• Filed: 09/01/2010
• Issued: 12/02/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/01/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Google Inc. (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Kuhne, Stefan
• Primary Examiner(s): Chu, David H
• Application Number:
  US12/874,048
• Publication Number:
  US 20120120104A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,553 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 345/661
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 29/006 Representation of non-cartographic information on maps, e.g. population distribution, wind direction, radiation levels, air and sea routes
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 29/106 using electronic means

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention relate to providing a method for creating customized labeled maps that include displaying a map using a presentation device based on a selectable elevation value, where the map contains geocoded information and the user selects at least one position on the displayed map. The method continues by automatically creating and displaying at least one label located in proximity to the selected position, where at least one label is based on reverse geocoded information associated with the selected position.

Claims

1. A system for creating customized labeled maps, comprising:

a presentation device;

a mapping system configured to access map data and use the map data to display a map using the presentation device based on a selectable elevation value; and

a clickmap system configured to automatically create and display at least one label located in proximity to a user selected position on the map based on a selected height above the user selected position,

wherein the map data includes geocoded information,

wherein the at least one label is based on reverse geocoded information associated with the user selected position, and

wherein content included within the at least one label is automatically selected based on the elevation value of the map view when the user selected position is selected by a user,

wherein the selected content is not varied with changes in the elevation value of the map view.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one label is displayed as at least one of:

a fixed image overlay;

a placemark;

an animation;

three-dimensional text;

or

a billboard.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the placemark includes an image.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the selected height is associated with an elevation level above the ground that determines where the label appears in relation to a ground level of the map.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the selected height above the user selected position is independent of the selectable elevation value of the map.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein a specificity level of the content selected for inclusion within the at least one label decreases as the elevation value is increased.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein label content and position are editable.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a timeline configured to create a sequence in time including a plurality of maps and labels.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the visibility of the at least one label is dependent on the elevation value of the map being displayed.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the displayed map is based upon a user input location identifier.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the clickmap system further comprises:

a control panel that enables a user to select a creation and display option associated with the at least one label including at least one or more of;

a label style option;

a text option;

an image option;

a visibility option;

a balloon option;

or

a view option.

12. A method for creating customized labeled maps, comprising:

displaying, by one or more computing devices, a map using a presentation device based on a selectable elevation value, wherein the map is associated with geocoded information, wherein each of the one or more computing devices comprises one or more processors;

selecting, by the one or more computing devices, at least one position on the displayed map; and

creating and providing for display, by the one or more computing devices, at least one label located in proximity to the selected position based on a selected height above the user selected position, wherein the at least one label includes information based on reverse geocoded information associated with the selected position, wherein content included within the at least one label is automatically selected based on the elevation value of the map view when the user selected position is selected by a user and wherein the selected content is not varied with changes in the elevation value of the map view.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the at least one label is displayed as at least one of:

a fixed image overlay;

a placemark;

an animation;

three-dimensional text;

or

a billboard.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the placemark includes an image.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the selected height is associated with an elevation level above the ground that determines where the label appears in relation to a ground level of the map.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the selected height above the user selected position is independent of the selectable elevation value of the map.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein a specificity level of the content selected for inclusion within the at least one label decreases as the elevation value is increased.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein label content and position are editable.

19. The method of claim 12, further comprising creating a sequence in time including a plurality of maps and labels.

20. The method of claim 12, wherein the visibility of the at least one label is dependent on the elevation value of the map being displayed.

21. The method of claim 12, wherein display of a label is dependent on the visibility of an underlying feature.

22. The method of claim 12, wherein the automatically creating and displaying at least one label further comprises:

a step of displaying a control panel that enables a user to select a creation and display option associated with the at least one label including at least one or more of;

a label style option;

a text option;

an image option;

a visibility option;

a balloon option;

or

a view option.