Methods and apparatuses for providing and displaying cluster data

A method, performed by a geographic information system (GIS) device, for displaying clusters, the method comprising:

• transmitting, to a server, coordinates of a viewable extent of the GIS device;
• receiving a clustering data message from the server, the clustering data message including an identifier of a portion of the viewable extent and the clustering message further including data representing at least one data point located within the portion;
• and
• displaying a graphic representing the at least one data point within the corresponding portion.

A method for throttling clustering data updates provided to a geographic information system (GIS) client device, the method comprising:

• receiving, from the GIS client device, coordinates of a viewable extent of the GIS client device;
• dividing the viewable extent into portions;
• determining that a number of data points within at least one portion has exceeded a user threshold;
• and
• suppressing transmission of clustering data updates for the at least one portion based on the determining.

An apparatus for providing cluster data to a geographic information system (GIS) client device, the apparatus comprising:

• a communication interface configured to
• receive data points, and
• receive, from the GIS client device, geographical coordinates of a viewable extent of the GIS client device;
• and
• one or more processors configured to
• divide the viewable extent into portions;
• determine the portions of the viewable extent in which received data points are located;
• and
• generate, for transmission via the communication interface, clustering information for the portions, the clustering information being generated based on the data points determined to be within the portions.

A computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed on a geographic information system (GIS) client device, cause the GIS client device to:

• transmit, to a server, coordinates of a viewable extent of the GIS device;
• receive a clustering data message from the server, the clustering data message including an identifier of a portion of the viewable extent and the clustering data message further including data representing at least one data point located within the portion;
• and
• display a graphic representing the at least one data point within the corresponding portion.