Patent ID: 7474317

Claim:
A computer implemented method for rendering graphical markers in a manner that avoids overlap of graphical markers on a map display, the computer implemented method comprising; identifying a plurality of points for display from data describing locations and associated data about locations; determining whether displaying graphical markers for a set of points in the plurality of points will result in graphical markers overlapping each other; and responsive to a determination that displaying graphical markers for the set of points will result in graphical markers overlapping each other, displaying the graphical markers for the set of points in an arrangement that avoids overlap, wherein each graphical marker representing a point in the set of points does not overlap with any other graphical marker associated with the map display when displayed in the arrangement that avoids overlap, further comprising: displaying the graphical markers in a fan-shaped arrangement to form a set of fanned markers, wherein each graphical marker in the set of fanned graphical markers does not overlap with any other graphical marker.