Visualization of Query Results in Relation to a Map

Abstract

A method is provided for visualizing query results in relation to a map. The method includes: specifying a geographic location of interest around which query results are to be clustered; querying a data source using a search query; constraining entities that satisfy the search query to form a subset of entities having a predefined number of entities that are geographically proximate to the specified location of interest; displaying an indicia for each of the entities in the subset of entities in a content area of a display; displaying a map of a geographic area on the display, where the geographic area includes the specified location of interest; and designating a boundary on the map whereby each of the entities in the subset of entities reside in the boundary and other entities that satisfy the search query reside outside the boundary.

1 . A method for visualizing query results in relation to a map, comprising:
 specifying a first geographic location of interest around which query results are to be clustered;   querying a data source using a search query;   constraining entities that satisfy the search query to form a subset of entities having a predefined number of entities that are geographically proximate to the first specified location of interest;   displaying an indicia for each of the entities in the subset of entities in a content area of a display;   displaying a map of a geographic area on the display, where the geographic area includes the first specified location of interest; and   designating a first boundary on the map whereby each of the entities in the first subset of entities reside in the boundary and other entities that satisfy the search query reside outside the boundary.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first boundary is further defined as a circle having a center positioned on the map at the first geographic location of interest and a circumference aligned with an entity in the subset located furthest away from the first geographic location of interest. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  further comprises:
 specifying a second geographic location of interest around which query results are to be clustered; 
 constraining entities that satisfy the search query to form a second subset of entities having the predefined number of entities and are geographically proximate to the second specified location of interest; and 
 replacing indicia for each of the entities in the first subset of entities in the content area with indicia for each of the entities in the second subset of entities; and 
 designating a second boundary on the map whereby each of the entities in the second subset of entities reside in the second boundary and other entities that satisfy the search query reside outside the second boundary. 
 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  further comprises specifying the second geographic location of interest with an input to a touch-sensitive display. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  further comprises changing the boundary on the map to a new boundary in accordance with an input from a user and, in response to the changed boundary, displaying in the content area of the display an indicia for each of the entities that satisfy the search query and reside inside the new boundary. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  further comprises changing the boundary on the map in accordance with an input to a touch-sensitive display. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  further comprises changing the number of entities that are displayed in the content area of the display in accordance with an input from a user and resizing the boundary on the map to include the entities displayed in the content area, where the entities displayed in the content area are geographically located nearest to the first specified location of interest from amongst the entities that satisfy the search query. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  further comprises ordering the entities that satisfy the search query in accordance with proximity of the entities to the first specified location of interest; presenting a scrollable listing of entities that satisfy the search query in the content area; and designating a second boundary on the map in response to an input from a user to scroll through the listing, whereby the second boundary encapsulates the first boundary and includes entities displayed in the content area. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  further comprises displaying a quantity of the entities in the first subset on the map adjacent to the first boundary. 
     
     
         10 . A method for visualizing query results in relation to a map, comprising:
 specifying a first geographic location of interest around which query results are to be clustered;   querying a data source using a search query;   constraining entities that satisfy the search query to form a subset of entities having a predefined number of entities that are geographically proximate to the first specified location of interest;   displaying an indicia for each of the entities in the subset of entities in a content area of a display;   displaying a map of a geographic area on the display, where the geographic area includes the first specified location of interest;   designating a first boundary on the map whereby each of the entities in the first subset of entities reside in the boundary and other entities that satisfy the search query reside outside the boundary; and   dynamically adapting the first boundary on the map in accordance with an input from the user specifying a second geographic location of interest.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  further comprises displaying the map on touch-sensitive display and dynamically adapting the first boundary in accordance with an input from the user to the touch-sensitive display. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10  wherein dynamically adapting the first boundary further comprises:
 specifying a second geographic location of interest around which query results are to be clustered; 
 constraining entities that satisfy the search query to form a second subset of entities having the predefined number of entities and are geographically proximate to the second specified location of interest; and 
 replacing indicia for each of the entities in the first subset of entities in the content area with indicia for each of the entities in the second subset of entities; and 
 designating a second boundary on the map whereby each of the entities in the second subset of entities reside in the second boundary and other entities that satisfy the search query reside outside the second boundary. 
 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the first boundary is further defined as a circle having a center positioned on the map at the first geographic location of interest and a circumference aligned with an entity in the subset located furthest away from the first geographic location of interest. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  further comprises dynamically adapting the first boundary by resizing the radius of the circle. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10  further comprises displaying a quantity of the entities in the first subset on the map adjacent to the first boundary.