Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC

Alan Paulin

Romualdo T Impas

Jeff J Lin

Anne H Loomis

Eric J Horvitz

Eyal Ofek

Jin Li

Xin Wu

Jeffrey Darren Couckuyt

Joseph Schwartz

Steve Lombardi

Tanya L Swartz

Zhenyu Qian

Yue Zhuge

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.

Representation of overlapping visual entities

Driving directions can be helpful if in addition to spatial information, landmark information is provided. Landmarks assist in adding context to directions as well as allowing for a greater likelihood of success of an operator following directions. There can be employment of physical identification of landmarks as well as processing regarding the utility of a landmark in regards to driving directions. Driving directions can be highly useful if integrated landmarks relate to knowledge possessed by an operator of a vehicle. Landmark based driving direction can be integrated with advertisements that relate to the directions.

Landmark-based routing

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Kirkland, WA, United States of America

Alan Paulin