Browsing large geocoded datasets using nested shapes

• US 9,378,571 B1
• Filed: 05/29/2008
• Issued: 06/28/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/29/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Google Inc. (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Jones, Michael Timothy, Charaniya, Amin Pyarali
• Primary Examiner(s): Johnson, M Good
• Application Number:
  US12/129,501
• Time in Patent Office: 2,952 Days
• Field of Search: 345/619
• 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 computer implemented method for displaying data elements of a data set on a map comprising:

determining an extent of a geolocated area, wherein the extent of the geolocated area is based on whether graphical representations of the data elements, when displayed at the data elements'"'"' respective geocoded position on the map, at least partially overlap;

identifying, via use of a computer processor, the data elements that geocode within the geolocated area on the map;

repositioning the graphical representations of the identified data elements from the data elements'"'"' respective geolocated positions into a nested shape, each graphical representation making up a portion of the nested shape such that the geographic representations do not overlap when the nested shape is displayed;

determining a coordinate for the nested shape, wherein the coordinate falls within the geolocated area in (a); and

displaying the nested shape on the map, wherein the nested shape is centered around the coordinate.

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

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the repositioning comprises repositioning the graphical representations of the identified data elements into one or more concentric circles.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the repositioning further comprises:

(i) determining whether a number of graphical representations of the identified data elements exceeds a threshold;

(ii) determining a first set and a second set from the graphical representations if the number of graphical representations exceeds a threshold;

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

(iv) repositioning 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 graphical representation 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 graphical representation 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 includes displaying the graphical representation for each identified data element in the nested shape on the map.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising displaying a textual message describing a particular graphical representation in the nested shape in response to a user input hovering over the graphical representation.

9. The method of claim 7, further comprising displaying an information balloon window describing in detail a particular graphical representation in the nested shape in response to a user input selecting the graphical representation.