A preventing method for overlapping focuses in a Focus+Glue+Context Map. (19th March 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mizutani, Hiroya; Yamamoto, Daisuke; Takahashi, Naohisa
• Is Part Of: International journal of knowledge and web intelligence. Volume 4:Number 1(2013)
• Page Start: 50
• Page End: 69
• Publication Date: 2013-03-19
• Subjects: water drops metaphor -- transformation -- Focus&#43 -- Glue&#43 -- Context -- fisheye view -- web map services -- Emma -- human interface -- visualisation -- map scales -- overlapping -- maps; Information retrieval -- Periodicals; Web site development -- Periodicals; Internet programming -- Periodicals; 004.67805
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1755-8255

Abstract

We have previously developed a Focus+Glue+Context–type fisheye view map system called Emma. Emma shows maps of different scales on the same display region, so that users can use wide maps (Context) and confirm details (Focuses) simultaneously. However, when multiple Focuses overlap, Emma is problematic in that road–network connections cannot be correctly drawn. In this paper, we propose the Water Drop method as a solution to this problem. It prevents overlapping by transforming Focuses much in the same way that drops of water are transformed, united, and divided due to surface tension. In order to prove the efficiency of the proposed method, we also developed the Overlap Repulsion method as a baseline approach. It prevents overlapping by moving the inactive Focuses away from the active Focus when an active Focus overlaps inactive Focuses. We conducted three experimental evaluations from the point of view of the both usability of the interface and map visibility.