Method for placing names for point-features on a map based on a plane

Abstract

In an automatic mapping system, a plurality of names are placed on a map in association with a plurality of corresponding point-features with minimized overlapping among the names. First a minimum bounding rectangle (MBR) is placed on a predetermined position of a target point located on a predetermined direction-uppermost position from point-features, where the MBR is selected for representing a name corresponding to the target point. Next, it is determined whether the MBR is overlapped with at least one of previously assigned MBRs and if the MBR is not overlapped with any of the previously assigned MBRs, the current position of the MBR is determined and the name is placed on the MBR. If the MBR is overlapped with at least one of the previously assigned MBRs, it is determined whether it is possible to continuously shift the MBR around the target point so that the MBR located on one of shifted positions is not overlapped with any of the previously assigned MBRs and, if possible, the MBR is located on the shifted position and the name is placed on the MBR. Another point-feature is assigned and located on a predetermined direction-uppermost position from the remaining point-features as a target point and the above steps are repeated until all of the point features contained on the map are processed.