Method and apparatus for geometric search and display for a digital map
OwnerMichael John Safoutininventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A geometric search and display method for a digital map includes a preferably animated graphic element projected on a map display, association of a search criterion with the graphic element, application of the search criterion to depicted or undepicted mapped or mappable items that geometrically intersect with the graphic element, and graphical representation of said application and/or outcome of said application by means of temporary modification of visual appearance of intersecting items and/or temporary modification of the visual appearance of the intersecting portion of the map.
Claims19
A method for depicting features on a digital map display, comprising:
- associating (a) one or more search criterion applicable to features mappable on said digital map, with (b) one or more instance or class of one or more graphic element displayable on the map display, said graphic element defining at least a distinct geometric boundary with respect to a coordinate system of said digital map;
- and
- a repetitive loop including:
- applying a predetermined incremental change to the angular rotation of said graphic element relative a coordinate system of the digital map;
- projecting said graphic element visibly or invisibly on the map display;
- identifying one or more mapped or mappable feature as a target feature by determining that its mapped or mappable depiction on the map display would geometrically intersect with the projected graphic element;
- applying said search criterion associated with said graphic element to an evaluation of database information associated with said target feature so as to determine an outcome representing state, degree, class, or other aspect of matching between said search criterion and said target feature;
- determining a first temporary modification of the visual appearance of a matching target feature based on said outcome;
- and
- applying said first temporary modification to the visual appearance of said matching target feature;
- and wherein said graphic element is substantially a wedge shape originating at a point on or off the map display and extending for a finite distance from said point;
- and wherein said predetermined incremental change is part of a repeating sequence of predetermined incremental changes.
A digital map display apparatus, comprising:
- a computer having a screen, comprising a digital map display;
- the computer being programmed to:
- display a view of a digital map on the screen;
- to animate one or more graphic element on said digital map, each graphic element comprising at least a distinct geometric boundary with respect to a coordinate system of said digital map, and being animated to show a series of predetermined incremental rotations;
- to associate with each graphic element a set of one or more search criterion applicable to features mapped or mappable on said digital map;
- to identify a mapped or mappable feature as a target feature by determining that the feature if mapped in said coordinate system would have geometric intersection with a graphic element at an increment of its rotation;
- to determine an outcome representing state, degree, or class of match between database information associated with said target feature and said set of one or more search criterion associated with the graphic element;
- and
- to graphically represent said outcome by means of temporary modification of visual appearance of said target feature on the map display;
- and wherein said graphic element is substantially a wedge shape originating at a point on or off the map display and extending for a finite distance from said point.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.