System and method for labeling maps

摘要

A system and method for label placement is disclosed that achieves the twin goals of practical efficiency and high labeling quality by employing cartographic heuristics. A caller defines map and label properties. Then labels are pulled within a map boundary. Labels are next ordered by priority in descending importance. The order of testing labels is determined. Attempts are made to move overlapping labels. This is an iterative process; therefore there must be criteria that halt the procedure. Upon reaching an acceptable solution, the label properties are adjusted to reflect the new label placements.

主权项

1. A method for generating a solution for pulling a label within a boundary of a map utilizing a computer system comprising the computer implemented steps of:
determining, if the label is not wholly within the boundary of the map, a fraction of a label area that is inside the boundary of the map, moving the label within the boundary of the map if:
a. the fraction of the label area inside the boundary of the map is greater than a predetermined value,b. a distance of a movement of the label is less than a maximum movement permitted from an original position, andc. the movement would result in all vertices located within the boundary of the map, and then outputting the solution to a caller, wherein a boundary of the label is a convex polygon with pre-assigned properties including the original position, the vertices, a type of movement allowed, and the maximum movement permitted from the original position, and wherein the boundary of the map is a rectangle.