For some reason this reminded me of quadtrees. Your "squooshing" would be removing central rows if they don't contain any points. Not a concrete answer but that's what your diagrams brought to mind.
Update: And there seems to be a Algorithm::QuadTree on CPAN that might get you started.
The cake is a lie.
The cake is a lie.
The cake is a lie.
In reply to Re: Distribute locations evenly on a map
by Fletch
in thread Distribute locations evenly on a map
by FloydATC
| For: | Use: | ||
| & | & | ||
| < | < | ||
| > | > | ||
| [ | [ | ||
| ] | ] |