Facilitation of Depiction of Geographic Relationships Via a User Interface

• US 20170316599A1
• Filed: 04/27/2017
• Published: 11/02/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TIC Talking Holdings Inc.
• Original Assignee: TIC Talking Holdings Inc.
• Inventors: Giunio-Zorkin, Alexander M., Jawl, Manroop Singh, Campbell, Doug
• Granted Patent: US 10,176,623 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/24573 using data annotations, e.g. user-defined metadata
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/248 Presentation of query results
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/35 Clustering; Classification
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/387 using geographical or spatial information, e.g. location
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 11/206 Drawing of charts or graphs
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 15/20 Perspective computation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/568 Storing data temporarily at an intermediate stage, e.g. caching

Abstract

Generation/rendering of a 2D perspective/view of a geographic region, e.g. a map the world or portion thereof, superimposed over which are indicators of related data items and graphical representations of the relationships therebetween is disclosed. Based on location data associated with each data item, a relative geographic presentation within, or otherwise superimposed over, the 2D presentation is generated relative to a 3D representation of the geographic region. Graphical interconnections are then derived based on the positions of the data items relative to each other and depicted in a manner which shows both the relationship between the data items and the geographic relationship with respect to the geographic region. The graphical interconnections may further be derived in a manner so as to depict a or other wise follow the perspective depicted by the 2D view, e.g. as arcs between related data items conforming to the depicted spherical contour of a globe.

Claims

1. A computer implemented method for representing geographic relationships among a plurality of data items, the method comprising:

receiving, by a processor, a selection of an origin data item stored in a memory coupled with the processor, the origin data item including data indicative of a geographic location associated with the origin data item within a geographic region;

computing, by the processor, a two dimensional representation, having a three dimensional perspective view, depicting a portion of a three dimensional representation of the geographic region, the two dimensional representation computed to include the geographic location associated with the origin data item and computing a location within the two dimensional perspective view of the origin data item corresponding to the location of the origin data item within the geographic region;

causing, by the processor, the determined two dimensional representation to be interactively presented on a display coupled with the processor and further causing a representation of the origin data item to be superimposed over the presentation on the display of the two dimensional representation at the computed location;

determining, by the processor, one or more related data items related to the origin data item, each of the one or more related data items being associated with a geographic location within the geographic region;

computing, by the processor, a location of each of the one or more related data items on the three dimensional representation of the geographic region based on the associated geographic location;

for each of the one or more related data items whose geographic location is located within the portion of the three dimensional representation of the geographic region depicted by the computed two dimensional representation, computing, by the processor, a location thereof within the two dimensional representation and causing a representation thereof to be superimposed over the presentation on the display of the two dimensional representation; and

causing, by the processor for each of the one or more related data items, a visual depiction of a connection between the representation of the related data item and the representation of the origin data item to be superimposed over the presentation on the display of the two dimensional representation, wherein for each of the one or more related data items displayed within the two dimensional representation, the visual depiction extends from the representation of the origin data item to the representation of the related data item and wherein for each of the one or more related data items not displayed within the two dimensional representation, the visual depiction extends from the origin data item to a boundary of the portion of the three dimensional representation of the geographic region depicted by the two dimensional representation in a geographic direction, as depicted in the two dimensional representation, of the geographic location of the related data item.

2. The computer implemented method of claim 1 wherein the origin data item comprises data indicative of a portion of a discussion, the included geographic location being associated therewith.

3. The computer implemented method of claim 1 wherein the origin data item comprises data indicative of a participant of a social network, the included geographic location being associated therewith, the one or more related data items each comprising data indicative of another user related thereto.

4. The computer implemented method of claim 1 wherein the origin data item comprises data indicative of a topic of a discussion, the included geographic location being associated therewith, the one or more related data items each comprising data indicative of a user subscribed to the topic of discussion.

5. The computer implemented method of claim 1 further comprising repeating, by the processor, the computing of the two dimensional representation, causing of the determined two dimensional representation to be interactively presented on the display, determining the one or more related data items related to the origin data item, computing the location of each of the one or more related data items on the three dimensional representation of the geographic region, computing the location thereof within the two dimensional representation and causing a representation thereof to be superimposed over the presentation on the display of the two dimensional representation, and causing, for each of the one or more related data items, a visual depiction of a connection between the representation of the related data item and the representation of the origin data item to be superimposed over the presentation on the display of the two dimensional representation.

6. The computer implemented method of claim 5 further comprising:

detecting, by the processor, user interaction with the two dimensional representation to alter the selection of the origin data item, the repeating being based thereon.

7. The computer implemented method of claim 6 wherein the detected user interaction comprises a selection by the user of one of the one or more related items to be the origin data item.

8. The computer implemented method of claim 5 further comprising:

detecting, by the processor, user interaction with the two dimensional representation to alter the portion of the three dimensional representation depicted thereby, the repeating being based thereon.

9. The computer implemented method of claim 5 further comprising:

detecting, by the processor, a change to the one or more related data items, the repeating being based thereon.

10. The computer implemented method of claim 1 wherein the causing, for each of the one or more related data items, a visual depiction of a connection between the representation of the related data item and the representation of the origin data item to be superimposed over the presentation on the display of the two dimensional representation further comprises computing, by the processor, one or more parameters of a graphical indicator of a connection between the representation of the origin data item and each of representations of the one or more related data items.

11. The computer implemented method of claim 10 wherein the geographic region is characterized by a surface having a shape, the two dimensional representation depicting the shape of the geographic region and wherein the visual depictions are generated so as to visually conform to the depicted shape.

12. The computer implemented method of claim 1 wherein the visual indicators are characterized by a dynamic appearance causing the perception of movement thereof from the representation of the origin data item to the representation of the related data item connected thereby.

13. The computer implemented method of claim 1 wherein the causing of the determined two dimensional representation to be interactively presented on a display coupled with the processor and further causing a representation of the origin data item to be superimposed over the presentation on the display of the two dimensional representation at the computed location, and, for each of the one or more related data items whose geographic location is located within the portion of the three dimensional representation of the geographic region depicted by the computed two dimensional representation, the computing of the location thereof within the two dimensional representation and causing a representation thereof to be superimposed over the presentation of the two dimensional representation, further comprise combining, by the processor, a first view comprising the three dimensional representation of the geographic region with a second view comprising the two dimensional representation.

14. A system for generating a representation of geographic relationships among a plurality of data items, the system comprising a memory and a processor coupled therewith, the system further comprising:

first logic stored in the memory and executable by the processor to cause the processor to receive a selection of an origin data item stored in a memory coupled with the processor, the origin data item including data indicative of a geographic location associated with the origin data item within a geographic region;

second logic, stored in the memory and coupled with the first logic and executable by the processor to cause the processor to compute a two dimensional representation, having a three dimensional perspective view, depicting a portion of a three dimensional representation of the geographic region, the two dimensional representation computed to include the geographic location associated with the origin data item and compute a location within the two dimensional perspective view of the origin data item corresponding to the location of the origin data item within the geographic region, and cause the determined two dimensional representation to be interactively presented on a display coupled with the processor and further cause a representation of the origin data item to be superimposed over the presentation on the display of the two dimensional representation at the computed location;

the second logic being further executable by the processor to determine one or more related data items related to the origin data item, each of the one or more related data items being associated with a geographic location within the geographic region, and compute a location of each of the one or more related data items on the three dimensional representation of the geographic region based on the associated geographic location; and

the second logic being further executable by the processor to, for each of the one or more related data items whose geographic location is located within the portion of the three dimensional representation of the geographic region depicted by the computed two dimensional representation, compute a location thereof within the two dimensional representation and cause a representation thereof to be superimposed over the presentation on the display of the two dimensional representation, cause, for each of the one or more related data items, a visual depiction of a connection between the representation of the related data item and the representation of the origin data item to be superimposed over the presentation on the display of the two dimensional representation, wherein for each of the one or more related data items displayed within the two dimensional representation, the visual depiction extends from the representation of the origin data item to the representation of the related data item and wherein for each of the one or more related data items not displayed within the two dimensional representation, the visual depiction extends from the origin data item to a boundary of the portion of the three dimensional representation of the geographic region depicted by the two dimensional representation in a geographic direction, as depicted in the two dimensional representation, of the geographic location of the related data item.

15. A system for generating a representation of geographic relationships among a plurality of data items, the system comprising:

a selection receiver operative to receive a selection of an origin data item stored in a memory coupled with the processor, the origin data item including data indicative of a geographic location associated with the origin data item within a geographic region;

a rendering processor coupled with the selection receiver and a display and operative to compute a two dimensional representation, having a three dimensional perspective view, depicting a portion of a three dimensional representation of the geographic region, the two dimensional representation computed to include the geographic location associated with the origin data item and compute a location within the two dimensional perspective view of the origin data item corresponding to the location of the origin data item within the geographic region, and cause the determined two dimensional representation to be interactively presented on the display and further cause a representation of the origin data item to be superimposed over the presentation on the display of the two dimensional representation at the computed location;

the rendering processor being further operative to determine one or more related data items related to the origin data item, each of the one or more related data items being associated with a geographic location within the geographic region, and compute a location of each of the one or more related data items on the three dimensional representation of the geographic region based on the associated geographic location; and

the rendering processor being further operative to, for each of the one or more related data items whose geographic location is located within the portion of the three dimensional representation of the geographic region depicted by the computed two dimensional representation, compute a location thereof within the two dimensional representation and cause a representation thereof to be superimposed over the presentation on the display of the two dimensional representation, cause, for each of the one or more related data items, a visual depiction of a connection between the representation of the related data item and the representation of the origin data item to be superimposed over the presentation on the display of the two dimensional representation, wherein for each of the one or more related data items displayed within the two dimensional representation, the visual depiction extends from the representation of the origin data item to the representation of the related data item and wherein for each of the one or more related data items not displayed within the two dimensional representation, the visual depiction extends from the origin data item to a boundary of the portion of the three dimensional representation of the geographic region depicted by the two dimensional representation in a geographic direction, as depicted in the two dimensional representation, of the geographic location of the related data item.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein the origin data item comprises data indicative of a portion of a discussion, the included geographic location being associated therewith.

17. The system of claim 15 wherein the origin data item comprises data indicative of a participant of a social network, the included geographic location being associated therewith, the one or more related data items each comprising data indicative of another user related thereto.

18. The system of claim 15 wherein the origin data item comprises data indicative of a topic of a discussion, the included geographic location being associated therewith, the one or more related data items each comprising data indicative of a user subscribed to the topic of discussion.

19. The system of claim 15 wherein the rendering processor is further operative to repeat the computation of the two dimensional representation, causation of the determined two dimensional representation to be interactively presented on the display, determination of the one or more related data items related to the origin data item, computation of the location of each of the one or more related data items on the three dimensional representation of the geographic region, computation of the location thereof within the two dimensional representation and causation of a representation thereof to be superimposed over the presentation on the display of the two dimensional representation, and causation, for each of the one or more related data items, a visual depiction of a connection between the representation of the related data item and the representation of the origin data item to be superimposed over the presentation on the display of the two dimensional representation.

20. The system of claim 19 further comprising:

wherein the selection receiver is further operative to detect user interaction with the two dimensional representation to alter the selection of the origin data item, the rendering processor being further operative to repeat based thereon.

21. The system of claim 20 wherein the detected user interaction comprises a selection by the user of one of the one or more related items to be the origin data item.

22. The system of claim 19 further comprising:

wherein the selection receiver is further operative to detect user interaction with the two dimensional representation to alter the portion of the three dimensional representation depicted thereby, the rendering processor being further operative to repeat based thereon.

23. The system of claim 19 further comprising:

wherein the selection receiver is further operative to detect a change to the one or more related data items, the rendering processor being further operative to repeat based thereon.

24. The system of claim 15 wherein the causing, for each of the one or more related data items, a visual depiction of a connection between the representation of the related data item and the representation of the origin data item to be superimposed over the presentation on the display of the two dimensional representation further comprises computing, by the processor, one or more parameters of a graphical indicator of a connection between the representation of the origin data item and each of representations of the one or more related data items.

25. The system of claim 24 wherein the geographic region is characterized by a surface having a shape, the two dimensional representation depicting the shape of the geographic region and wherein the visual depictions are generated so as to visually conform to the depicted shape.

26. The system of claim 15 wherein the visual indicators are characterized by a dynamic appearance causing the perception of movement thereof from the representation of the origin data item to the representation of the related data item connected thereby.

27. The system of claim 15 wherein the causing of the determined two dimensional representation to be interactively presented on a display coupled with the processor and further causing a representation of the origin data item to be superimposed over the presentation on the display of the two dimensional representation at the computed location, and, for each of the one or more related data items whose geographic location is located within the portion of the three dimensional representation of the geographic region depicted by the computed two dimensional representation, the computing of the location thereof within the two dimensional representation and causing a representation thereof to be superimposed over the presentation of the two dimensional representation, further comprise combining, by the processor, a first view comprising the three dimensional representation of the geographic region with a second view comprising the two dimensional representation.

28. A system for generating a representation geographic relationships among a plurality of data items, the system comprising:

means for receiving a selection of an origin data item stored in a memory coupled with the processor, the origin data item including data indicative of a geographic location associated with the origin data item within a geographic region;

means for computing a two dimensional representation, having a three dimensional perspective view, depicting a portion of a three dimensional representation of the geographic region, the two dimensional representation computed to include the geographic location associated with the origin data item and computing a location within the two dimensional perspective view of the origin data item corresponding to the location of the origin data item within the geographic region;

means for causing the determined two dimensional representation to be interactively presented on a display and further causing a representation of the origin data item to be superimposed over the presentation on the display of the two dimensional representation at the computed location;

means for determining one or more related data items related to the origin data item, each of the one or more related data items being associated with a geographic location within the geographic region;

means for computing a location of each of the one or more related data items on the three dimensional representation of the geographic region based on the associated geographic location;

for each of the one or more related data items whose geographic location is located within the portion of the three dimensional representation of the geographic region depicted by the computed two dimensional representation, means for computing a location thereof within the two dimensional representation and causing a representation thereof to be superimposed over the presentation on the display of the two dimensional representation; and

means for causing, for each of the one or more related data items, a visual depiction of a connection between the representation of the related data item and the representation of the origin data item to be superimposed over the presentation on the display of the two dimensional representation, wherein for each of the one or more related data items displayed within the two dimensional representation, the visual depiction extends from the representation of the origin data item to the representation of the related data item and wherein for each of the one or more related data items not displayed within the two dimensional representation, the visual depiction extends from the origin data item to a boundary of the portion of the three dimensional representation of the geographic region depicted by the two dimensional representation in a geographic direction, as depicted in the two dimensional representation, of the geographic location of the related data item.