Custom map configuration

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016307343-A1
Application number	US-201514687807-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Apr 15, 2015
Priority date	Apr 15, 2015
Publication date	Oct 20, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided to improve map type data visualizations in which custom images are used as background against which datasets are visualized. In various examples, coordinate systems are automatically generated and applied to the custom image based on the positional data of the dataset. The custom image may replace a pre-existing background, and the plotting of the dataset may be automatically modified based on differences between the pre-existing background and the custom image. Aspects provide for enhanced user control of the map type visualization to further modify how datasets are plotted and how visualizations are presented. Example modifications include offsets and scales, which may be automatically determined and applied or set manually. In some examples, the custom image may be part of a set of image tiles, which are operable to provide various levels of detail from several viewing angles and heights.

First claim

We claim:

1 . A method for providing custom backgrounds in map type visualizations, comprising:
receiving a custom image for use as a background image for a map type visualization; receiving a dataset, including positional values, to plot in the map type visualization against the background image; applying a coordinate system to the custom image to create the background image; plotting the dataset against the background image within the coordinate system according to the positional values; determining whether the dataset is plotted properly against the background image according to a context; and when the dataset is determined to not be plotted properly against the background image according to the context, modifying how the dataset is plotted.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the dataset is plotted against the background image based on a maximum value and a minimum value of the positional values, wherein a data series of the dataset including the maximum value or the minimum value is plotted to an edge of the e background image.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the context is determined according to an analysis of the custom image identifying key features in the custom image.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein modifying how the dataset is plotted includes at least one of:
applying an offset to the positional values of the dataset; applying a scale to the positional values of the dataset; and repositioning an origin of the coordinate space.

5 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising caching the background image, wherein the cached background image retains the applied coordinate system and is operable to be used in a different visualization.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the custom image is an image tile, wherein the image the is associated with a set of image tiles operable to provide a plurality of views of the background image.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein modifying how the dataset is plotted further comprises:
disassociating the dataset from the background image; moving the dataset relative to the background image; and re-associating the dataset to the background image.

8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the custom image replaces a pre-existing background image, wherein the coordinate system applied to the custom image is taken from the pre-existing background image.

9 . A system for providing custom backgrounds in map type visualizations, comprising:
a processor; and a memory storage including instructions, which when executed by the processor provide: a layout engine, operable to receive a dataset including positional values, a custom image, and a visualization type to create a map type visualization of the dataset plotted against the custom image according to the visualization type, wherein the layout engine includes:
a coordinate mapping module, operable to create and apply a coordinate system to the custom image; and
an image analysis module, operable to determine key features in the custom image to determine a context according to which the dataset is plotted against in the map type visualization, wherein the context is operable to signal the layout engine whether the dataset is plotted properly against the custom image; and
wherein, the layout engine is further operable to modify how the dataset is plotted against the custom image.

10 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the custom image replaces a pre-existing background image, wherein the image analysis module is further operable to determine corresponding key features in the pre-existing background image and associated the key features in the custom image with the corresponding key features in the pre-existing background image.

11 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the layout engine is further operable to modify how the dataset is plotted against the custom image by applying at least one of:
a scale, wherein the image analysis module is further operable to determine the scale based on a change in distance in a given dimension between the key features in the custom image and the corresponding key features in the pre-existing background image; and an offset, wherein the image analysis module is further operable to determine the offset based on a change in distance in a given dimension between the key features in the custom image and the corresponding key features in the pre-existing background image and a change in size between the custom image and the pre-existing background image.

12 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the map type visualization is created in a three-dimensional space, wherein the custom image is a surface in the three-dimensional space.

13 . The system of claim 9 , wherein a given dimension of the coordinate system is based on maximum positional value and a minimum positional value of the dataset in the given dimension.

14 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the coordinate mapping module is further operable to calculate a pixel-scale for the positional values of the dataset relative to pixel dimensions of the custom image.

15 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the layout engine is further operable to cache the custom image, wherein the cached custom image retains the applied coordinate system and is operable to be used in a different visualization.

16 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the custom image is part of a set of image tiles, wherein the set of image tiles provides a plurality of views in the map type visualization based on a zoom level and a viewing angle.

17 . A computing device for providing custom backgrounds in map type visualization comprising:
a processor; and a memory storage including instructions, which when executed by the processor cause the computing device to be operable to:
receive a custom image for use as a background image for a map type visualization, the custom imaging having a pixel-size;
receive a dataset, including positional values, to plot in the map type visualization against the background image;
apply a coordinate system to the custom image to create the background image, wherein the coordinate system includes an origin and a pixel-scale relating the positional values of the dataset to the pixel-size of the custom image;
plot the dataset against the background image within the coordinate system according to the positional values and pixel-scale;
determine whether the dataset is plotted properly against the background image according to a context, wherein the context is determined according to an analysis of the custom image identifying key features in the custom image; and
when the dataset is determined to not be plotted properly against the background image according to the context, apply to the positional values of the data set at least one of:
a scale, wherein the scale affects the positional values relative to a distance from the origin; and
an offset, wherein the offset affects the positional values irrespective of a distance from the origin.

18 . The computing device of claim 17 , wherein a user interface is provided to enable a user to modify how the dataset is plotted against the background image, wherein the user interface enables:
unlocking the dataset from the background image; moving the unlocked dataset, wherein the unlocked dataset is moved independently from the background image, thereby moving relative to the background image; locking the dataset to the background image; and moving the locked dataset, wherein the locked dataset and background image are equally moved to provide a different view of the map type visualization.

Assignees

• Microsoft Technology Licensing Llc

Inventors

• Peev Igor Borisov
• Geselowitz Lewey Alec
• Marshall James Thomas
• Payne John A
• Subhas Jagan
• Bhatia Puneet
• Witriol Daniel Benjamin
• Bhojawala Safiya
• Sobhy Ehab

Classifications

• G06T11/26 Primary

  Drawing of charts or graphs · CPC title

• G06T11/206 Primary

  Physics · mapped topic