Browsing Large Geocoded Datasets Using Nested Shapes

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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for displaying data elements on a map, comprising:
 (a) identifying data elements of a dataset that geocode to an area of the map;   (b) arranging the data elements identified in (a) into one or more nested shapes;   (c) determining a coordinate for the one or more nested shapes, wherein the coordinate corresponds to the area in (a); and   (d) displaying the one or more nested shapes on the map based on the coordinate.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising determining the area of map according to a zoom level associated with the map, wherein the area of the map is larger if the map is zoomed out and smaller if the map is zoomed in. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the arranging of step (b) comprises arranging the data elements identified in (a) into one or more concentric circles. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the arranging of step (b) comprises:
 (i) determining whether a number of data elements in the set of data elements exceeds a threshold;   (ii) determining a first set and a second set from the data elements if the number of data elements in the set of data elements exceeds a threshold;   (iii) arranging the first set into a first nested shape; and   (iv) arranging 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 data element 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 data element 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 of step (d) includes displaying an icon for each data element in the one or more nested shapes on the map. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising displaying a textual message describing a particular data element in the one or more nested shapes in response to a user input hovering over an icon for the particular data element. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising displaying an information balloon window describing in detail a particular data element in the one or more nested shapes in response to a user input selecting an icon for the particular data element. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the displaying of step (d) includes displaying the one or more nested shapes on the map centered on the coordinate. 
     
     
         11 . A geographic information system for displaying data elements on a map, comprising:
 an area module that identifies data elements of a dataset that geocode to an area of the map;   an arranger module that arranges the data elements identified in (a) into one or more nested shapes;   a coordinate module that determines a coordinate for the one or more nested shapes, wherein the coordinate corresponds to the area in (a); and   a display module that displays the one or more nested shapes on the map based on the coordinate.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising a module that determines the area of map according to a zoom level associated with the map, wherein the area of the map is larger if the map is zoomed out and smaller if the map is zoomed in. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the arranger module arranges the data elements identified in (a) into one or more concentric circles. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the arranger module determines whether a number of data elements in the set of data elements exceeds a threshold, determines a first set and a second set from the data elements if the number of data elements in the set of data elements exceeds a threshold and arranges the first set into a first nested shape and arranges the second set into a second nested shape located within the first nested shape. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the arranger module determines whether each data element is in the first set or the second set according to a relevant score of the data element. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the arranger module determines whether each data element is in the first set or the second set according to a property of the data element. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the display module displays an icon for each data element in the one or more nested shapes on the map centered on the coordinate. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the display module displays a textual message describing a particular data element in the one or more nested shapes in response to a user input hovering over an icon for the particular data element. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the display module displays an information balloon window describing in detail a particular data element in the one or more nested shapes in response to a user input selecting an icon for the particular data element. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the display module that displays the one or more nested shapes on the map centered on the coordinate.