Representation of overlapping visual entities

Abstract

Various embodiments present a combined visual entity that represents overlapping visual entities. The combined visual entity can include a primary visualization that represents one of the overlapping visual entities and annotations that represent others of the overlapping visual entities. For example, a map view can include multiple geographical entities that overlap. A primary visualization can be rendered that represents one of the multiple geographical entities. The primary visualization can be visually annotated (e.g., with symbols, letters, or other visual indicators) to indicate others of the multiple geographical entities. In some embodiments, a zoom operation can cause visual entities to be added and/or removed from the combined visual entity.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A computer-implemented method comprising:
 determining by a computing system that a group of data entities overlap based on geographical coordinates by at least a threshold amount; and   rendering by the computing system a combined visual entity for the group of data entities, wherein the combined visual entity includes a primary visualization representative of one data entity of the group of data entities, and one or more visual annotations representing one or more of remaining data entities in the group of data entities.   
     
     
         22 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 21 , further comprising causing a flyout that individually represents each data entity in the group of data entities to be displayed responsive to a user interaction with the combined visual entity. 
     
     
         23 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 21 , wherein the threshold amount is based on hash values, wherein a hash value is computed based on the geographical coordinates for each data entity in the group of data entities. 
     
     
         24 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 determining that a number of data entities included in the combined visual entity exceeds a maximum number; and   breaking the combined visual entity into two or more clusters.   
     
     
         25 . A computer-implemented method comprising:
 determining by a computing system that a group of data entities visually overlap in a display by at least a threshold amount; and   rendering by the computing system a visual representation of a cluster representing the group of data entities, the visual representation of the cluster including one or more visual type annotations,   wherein each data entity in the group of data entities is assigned to a type and is listed under a visual type annotation that corresponds to the type.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the one or more visual type annotations are displayed upon user interaction with the visual representation of the cluster. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein one or more first entities listed under a first visual type annotation are displayed upon another user interaction with the first visual type annotation. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein one or more second entities listed under a second visual type annotation are displayed upon a different user interaction with the second visual type annotation. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the user interaction is at least one of hovering and selection. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the type is one of restaurants, coffee shops, parking areas, educational institutions, tourist attractions, stores, banks, hotels, and parks. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the one or more visual type annotations each display a number indicating how many data entities from the group of data entities are represented by each visual type annotation, and
 wherein the one or more visual type annotations each display an identifier to indicate the type associated with each one of the one or more visual type annotations.   
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the visual representation of the cluster displays an identifier to indicate each type represented by the one or more visual type annotations. 
     
     
         33 . A system comprising:
 one or more processors; and   one or more computer readable storage media storing computer-executable instructions that that are executable by the one or more processors to cause the system to perform operations including:
 determine by a computing system that a group of data entities visually overlap in a display by at least a threshold amount; 
 render by the computing system a foundation, wherein the foundation is a visual representation of a cluster of the group of data entities; 
 in response to receiving a user interaction with the foundation, modifying the display of the foundation. 
   
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein modifying the display of the foundation includes replacing the foundation with a fly out that individually represents and connects each data entity in the group of data entities by graphic lines. 
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 34 , the operations further including:
 in response to receiving another user interaction with the fly out, displaying a popup window with additional information about a data entity in the group of data entities.   
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein modifying the display of the foundation includes replacing the foundation with a fly out that lists one or more visual type annotations,
 wherein each data entity in the group of data entities is assigned to a type and is listed under a visual type annotation that corresponds to the type.   
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein modifying the display of the foundation includes zooming in the display to illustrate each data entity in the group of data entities so the group of data entities no longer overlap. 
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein modifying the display of the foundation includes replacing the foundation to illustrate each data entity individually in the group of data entities and changing a scale of a map view. 
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein modifying the display of the foundation includes displaying a popup window in addition to the foundation, wherein the popup window individually represents each data entity in the group of data entities. 
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 39 , the operations further including:
 in response to receiving another user interaction with the popup window, displaying additional information about one or more data entities in the group of data entities.