Definition

Ein Begrenzungsrahmen (Bounding Box) ist ein rechteckiges Koordinatensystem, das zur Abgrenzung eines geografischen Gebiets auf Karten verwendet wird. Es wird durch zwei Koordinatensätze - Breitengrad und Längengrad - bestimmt, die die Lage der vier Ecken des Kastens festlegen. Die Eckkoordinaten ergeben vier Linien, die ein Rechteck bilden. Alle Punkte innerhalb des Rechtecks werden als Teil des Begrenzungsrahmens bzw. seiner "Bounds" betrachtet.

Practical Applications

Bounding boxes find utility across a spectrum of applications. Mapping services frequently utilize them to determine which map features fall within a specified area for display. Additionally, they serve as inputs for various network analytics services such as route optimization, geocoding, and spatial analytics.‍

LocationIQ's Autocomplete API Uses Boundingbox to Prioritize Results

Geocoding and Autocomplete providers, like LocationIQ employ bounding boxes intelligently within its autocomplete API. By prioritizing results falling within a specified bounding box, users receive more relevant and localized suggestions. This ensures a smoother user experience, particularly in scenarios where precise geographic information is paramount.

Imagine drawing a rectangle on a map. This rectangle, defined by its four corner points, encapsulates the geographic area of interest. For example, envision a bounding box encompassing the entirety of California. Searching an address with bounding box for California leads to prioritization of results that fall within California. ‍