US Patent 7414637 Placement of map labels

Methods and systems are presented for the automatic optimal placement text or symbol labels corresponding to graphical objects on maps. Using a map server and a thin, typically mobile client, maps are dynamically drawn and displayed at the client. Optimized labeling of map objects is achieved by dividing the task into pipelined subtasks, some being performed off-line, and others being performed in real time, responsively to changing client requests, and changes in the map viewport. Optimization of candidate label positions is accomplished using simulated annealing.