9876results about "Geographical information databases" patented technology

A method comprises the steps of: transmitting a map request from a client computer to a server; receiving in the client computer data representing a map from a map server; receiving, in the client computer, dynamic, location-based data from a content provider separately from the data representing the map; generating within the client computer a rendering of the dynamic, location-based data overlaid on the map; and displaying the rendering on the client computer.

A system for exchanging GPS or other position data between wireless devices for purposes of group activities, child location monitoring, work group coordination, dispatching of employees etc. Cell phones and other wireless devices with GPS receivers have loaded therein a Buddy Watch application and a TalkControl application. The Buddy Watch application communicates with the GPS receiver and other wireless devices operated by buddies registered in the users phone as part of buddy groups or individually. GPS position data and historical GPS position data can be exchanged between cell phones of buddies and instant buddies such as tow truck drivers via a buddy watch server. Emergency monitoring services can be set up with notifications to programmable individuals in case an individual does not respond. Positions and tracks can be displayed. TalkControl simplifies and automates the process of joining talk groups for walkie talkie services such as that provided by Nextel.

A system for ranking geospatial entities is described. In one embodiment, the system comprises an interface for receiving ranking data about a plurality of geospatial entities and an entity ranking module. The module uses a ranking mechanism to generate place ranks for the geospatial entities based on the ranking data. Ranked entity data generated by the entity ranking module is stored in a database. The entity ranking module may be configured to evaluate a plurality of diverse attributes to determine a total score for a geospatial entity. The entity ranking module may be configured to organize ranked entity data into placemark layers.

Apparatus and computer-readable media for associating metadata with a geographic location are provided. The apparatus includes logic for detecting that a mobile device is present at a geographic location relevant to a user of the mobile device, logic for retrieving context information associated with the location, logic for selecting a program code module based upon a contextual relevancy of the location, logic for providing the program code module for execution, where the program code module is capable of performing processing specific to at least one aspect of the location, the processing is based upon the context information, and the program code module is further capable of receiving at least one input data item from the mobile device, where the at least one input data item describes an activity of the user at the location, and logic for associating the at least one input data item with the location.

Systems and methods for UAV safety are provided. An authentication system may be used to confirm UAV and/or user identity and provide secured communications between users and UAVs. The UAVs may operate in accordance with a set of flight regulations. The set of flight regulations may be associated with a geo-fencing device in the vicinity of the UAV.

User interfaces and computer enabled methods for defining, discovering, and viewing map layers are provided. The map layers annotate an existing map by providing additional information that is not present in the existing map. A contribution user interface receives and configures the map layer on a web browser. The contribution user interface allows the map layer to be positioned over a desired location and displayed as a semi-transparent image overlay superimposed over the existing map. The map layer may be enlarged, reduced, and rotated to match the features of the existing map. The map layer is stored for use by other users. The layer may be retrieved by users who search for the desired location or for related or nearby locations. The layer may be displayed as a search result, and may be displayed for viewing by users as a partially-transparent image overlay over the existing map.

The present invention embodiments include a geographic overlay system including an information system, a mapping system interface to communicate with a mapping system and a database system including National Census geographic boundaries and data files. The geographic overlay system utilizes a client/server model that streams geographic data from a server system to dynamically render vector-based map layers inside a client browser. The geographic overlay system employs a Nationwide database of Census geographies that may be rendered as interactive point, line or polygon objects over a National base map provided by the mapping system. A database builder interface enables users to build the database and server pages. The present invention embodiments overlay translucent, interactive dynamically generated vector-based polygonal Census boundary map layers over geographical maps from the mapping system. The overlaying vector map layers perform thematic analysis, enable information retrieval, display mouse-over tool-tips and query a dynamic block-level National spatial-relational database.

An interactive map web-based tool is provided which gives the user the ability to customize their use of a map. The present invention includes a customized overlay of point of interest information on an existing map. The information overlay includes icons, drop down lists, information panels, advertising content, pop-up windows and hypertext links which are associated with points of interest, where each point of interest is associated with a class. Drop down lists permit the user to display one or more points of interest by location or class. Visual cues, including color coding, icon shaping and text differentiation for different classes of points of interest allow a user of the map to quickly differentiate area resources. With such an arrangement a traveler can easily select for display only those particular resources that are of interest to the traveler and thereby create a local search experience focused on their specific travel needs.

In one embodiment, a ticket entry system and method include a program management system, a spatial management system, a data management system, and a user interface. The program management system receives contact information and a search criteria for a locate request. The program management system transmits the search criteria to the spatial management system. The spatial management system geocodes the search criteria and retrieves map data from the data management system corresponding to the search criteria geocode. The spatial management system transmits the map data to the program management system. The program management system transmits the map data to the user system and, in return, receives an indication of a site location where the operation is to be performed. The program management system transmits the site location indication to the spatial management system. The spatial management system geocodes the site location indication and transmits the site location geocode to the program management system. The program management system creates a locate ticket, which comprises the site location geocode and the contact information.

Interactive geographic information systems (GIS) and techniques are disclosed that provide users with a greater degree of flexibility, utility, and information. A markup language is provided that facilitates communication between servers and clients of the interactive GIS, which enables a number of GIS features, such as network links (time-based and/or view-dependent dynamic data layers), ground overlays, screen overlays, placemarks, 3D models, and stylized GIS elements, such as geometry, icons, description balloons, polygons, and labels in the viewer by which the user sees the target area. Also, “virtual tours” of user-defined paths in the context of distributed geospatial visualization is enabled. Streaming and interactive visualization of filled polygon data are also enabled thereby allowing buildings and other such features to be provided in 3D. Also, techniques for enabling ambiguous search requests in a GIS are provided.

A method and system to bookmark a location, blog geo-referential information, and process the geo referential information, having a mobile device and a stationary server. The mobile device is configured to generate a waypoint to geographically identify the location, generate a timestamp, fetch and store data associated with the location, and receive a user-provided description regarding at least one of the location and the data associated with the location. The stationary server is configured to receive geo-referential information from the mobile device, the geo-referential information including the waypoint, timestamp, and at least one of the data and user-provided description. The server includes a database to maintain the geo-referential information in a spatially and temporally organized manner, and a processing arrangement to adaptively process the geo-referential information according to at least one of a characteristic and preference of a user.

A system and method for creating a unified commercial real estate data model through collection, distribution and use of information in connection with commercial real estate and for creating a web-based marketplace that facilitates the efficient and secure buying, selling, and leasing of commercial properties. The invention provides a digital marketplace in which the members of the commercial real estate and related business community can continuously interact and facilitate transactions by efficiently exchanging accurate and standardized information. An embodiment provides a system and method for providing communication and analytical tools that interface with a commercial real estate database and support commercial real estate transactions between parties. These communication and analytical tools can include: 1) a survey tool; 2) a commercial real estate transaction tool; 3) a tour scheduling tool; 4) an activity summary tool; 5) a tool for analyzing commercial real estate data; and 6) a map search tool.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and system for generating an online listing, such as a yellow pages listing, that includes information about an object, such as a business, and also includes at least one image of the structure containing the object. For example, the image may be a digital image of the store front of a business taken at a street view. Additionally, a user may select an image from a plurality of images that the user perceives as being an appropriate representative image for the business. Based on votes received a default representative image may be identified that is provided in response to a request for information about the business.

Resolving a query term includes receiving at least one query term from a requestor and determining a geographic location of the requestor. The geographic location of the requestor may be determined by accessing an electronic information store containing a requestor profile including geographic information about the requestor, where the requestor profile is used by more than one program. The query term is resolved against electronic information within at least one electronic information store to determine whether one or more matches exist and a result is generated that accounts for the geographic location of the requestor.

An information retrieval system and method employing spatially selective features. A geo-coded database stores advertiser records which include location information. Received search requests are matched with database records based on location information in the search requests and the record location information. In this manner, a user can search for information on a local basis and receive only the most relevant local search results.

A method for reverse geocoding location information obtained by a wireless communications device comprises determining the location information for a location, communicating the location information to a reverse geocoding server that reverse-geocodes the location information to generate location description data for a bounding region that geographically surrounds the location, receiving the location description data from the reverse geocoding server for the bounding region containing the location, and caching the location description data for the bounding region in a memory cache on the device. When the current location remains within one or more bounding regions cached on the device, location description data is fetched from the cache, thus improving application responsiveness. Only when the current location is no longer within the bounding region(s) does the device communicate a new request to the reverse geocoding server.

A distributed object-oriented geospatial database system and method thereof over the Internet using Web-based technology to perform data-driven queries, such as retrieving, viewing and updating, geospatial data of the object oriented geospatial database, such as vector, raster, hypertext and multimedia data, including data types or formats of ESRI shape files, GSF, oceanographic ASCII text data by NAVOCEANO and geospatial data with temporal information and supporting 3D display of the geospatial data. The object-oriented geospatial database system is implemented in a heterogeneous object-oriented development and integration environment through the Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA).

A system and method of configuring solar energy systems that includes at least one processor, and a memory coupled to the at least one processor. The memory can store instructions to cause the at least one processor to 1) search one or more data sources for information, 2) store the information in a data store, 3) receive one or more images associated with a location to receive a solar energy system, 4) display the one or more images in real-time on a user interface on a display, 5) receive input data from a user interacting with the user interface, 6) process the information, images, and input data to determine parameters associated with the location, and 7) identify a useable area in the location for placement of the solar energy system based on the parameters.

A capability for prominence-based feature generation and rendering for digital maps is provided. More specifically, embodiments relate to rendering map features such as buildings or landmarks in different rendering styles based on signals for how important a particular feature is to a search context. A search context may be, for example and without limitation, a general view of the map or a user-initiated search request for a particular point of interest or driving directions between different points of interest on the map. For example, the different rendering styles may include, but are not limited to, two-dimensional (2D) footprints, two-and-a-half-dimensional (2.5D) extruded polygons, as will be described further below, and full three-dimensional (3D) models. Furthermore, the style could include color and/or visual texture.

A communications system to post arbitrary information to any geographical region simply by outlining the region on a map in the system's user interface and attaching the information to the outlined region is provided. The outlined region can be of any size, e.g., a city block, a neighborhood, a county, and defines the information's “region of relevance”. Any user of the system can also browse and receive these geographically relevant postings simply by identifying a point or region of interest on one of the system's maps. Uses of the system range from personal communication of questions and announcements to a geographically identified group, to governmental and commercial news and announcements aimed at a particular population, to “virtual billboards” for advertising.

Various embodiments relate to the systems and methods for creating events, creating points of interest, associating points of interest with geographic locations, associating events with points of interest or with geographic locations, discovering events in a geographic area given a time frame, tagging and rating events and points of interest and sharing events among users. A particular embodiment includes a computer-implemented method including associating geographical locations or points of interest with events having geographical and temporal attributes in a geo-temporal data store, receiving a geo-temporal search query specified by a user, and producing search results including items from the geo-temporal data store having a pre-determined degree of relevance to the geo-temporal search query in both a geographical and temporal domain.

A method, system and computer program product for providing location-specific content to a personal computing device (PCD) connected to a distributed server network (such as the Internet) without requiring an access control gateway to provide such content. Location-specific (and user-specific) content/services are provided by a client-server architecture utilizing a location database and a location look-up utility of a location identifier and content retrieval (LICR) server. Specifically, a utility executing on the PCD provides PCD location parameters to the LICR server, which is equipped with a location look up engine/functionality and a location content retrieval engine/functionality (both within a LICR utility) that responds by providing location-specific and user-specific content to the PCD.

A computerized system, method and process allows telecommunications carriers to find, evaluate and select locations for equipment through direct access to end users, while providing citizens the opportunity to offer the use of their dwelling or other assets to carriers. The system and method further provides a computerized mechanism for (a) creating an inventory and marketplace for available properties for use in telecommunications networks, (b) providing quality and/or performance monitoring and control for wireless communication systems based on data in the clearinghouse, and (c) providing localized content over wireless networks using the clearinghouse.

In a communication-type navigation system for downloading map data according to the present invention, a reduction in the amount of map information to be transferred, correction of a position measured by a GPS, and delivery of advertisements are effected. In this system, a terminal 5 stores rough map data in advance. Then, when detailed map data is required, it is downloaded from a map data delivery center to the terminal 5. Further, together with the map data, GPS correction information is delivered to the terminal 5 from the map data delivery center 80. Still further, coupon information associated with an advertisement is displayed and an electronic mail on the coupon information is issued, by the map data delivery center.

A portable imaging device having a data processing system, imaging and sensing devices records objects of interest as images and includes a terminal connection for transmitting the images to a network. Sensing devices record location and environmental conditions related to the object of interest. The device is linked to a positioning determining system. The device records an image and environmental information related to the image and incorporates into the image stored descriptive information based on location information. The image may be translated into an analog or digital picture incorporating the recorded location, environmental and descriptive information. The device may be linked by wire or wirelessly via the terminal connection to a network including a server and a PC terminal. The recorded image, location and environmental information are transmitted by the device over the network to the server using a wireless connection for download and editing by a user.

A system and method for configuring the presentation of a plurality of presentation elements in a visual representation on a user interface, the presentation elements having both temporal and spatial parameters, the method comprising the steps of: defining a time bar with a time scale having time indicators as subdivisions of the time scale and having a first global temporal limit and a second temporal global limit of the time scale for defining a temporal domain of the presentation elements, defining a focus range of the time bar such that the focus range has a first local temporal limit and a second local temporal limit wherein the first local temporal limit is greater than or equal to the first global temporal limit and the second local temporal limit is less than or equal to the second global temporal limit; defining a focus bar having a focus time scale having focus time indicators as subdivisions of the focus time scale and having the first and second local temporal limits as the extents of the focus time scale, such that the focus time scale is an expansion of the time scale; and displaying a set of presentation elements selected from the plurality of presentation elements based on the respective temporal parameter of each of the set of presentation elements is within the first and second local temporal limits.

The invention provides systems and methods for advanced features for online mapping, searching, and planning driving tours. A multiple listing service (MLS) system may include a map search feature. A user interface for a real property listing may include a geographic map, which may enable a user to define a destination search area. The destination search area may be displayed on the geographic map. The MLS system may enable a user to conduct a search utilizing spatial and/or non-spatial filters. A search entry interface may be provided on a user interface in conjunction with the geographic map. The geographic map and map search features may also be able to include additional geographic information.

A system and method of providing video drive-by data is provided to enable a street level view of a neighborhood surrounding a selected geographic location. The system includes a video and data server farm incorporation at least one video storage server that stores video image files containing video drive-by data that corresponds to a geographic location, a database server that processes a data query received from a user over the Internet that corresponds to a geographic location of interest, and an image processing server. In operation, the database server identifies video image files stored in the video storage server that correspond to the geographic location of interest contained in the data query, and transfers the video image files over a pre-processing network to the image processing server. The image processing server converts the video drive-by data to post processed video data corresponding to a desired image format, and transfers the post processed video data via post-processing network to the Internet response to the query.

Method and system for preventing accidents between first and second vehicles includes a positioning system arranged in each vehicle for determining the absolute position thereof, a memory unit arranged in the first vehicle for storing data about travel lanes, a communication system for transmitting the position of the second vehicle to the first vehicle, a receiver system arranged in the first vehicle for receiving position information from the second vehicle, a processor coupled to the positioning system, the receiver system and the memory unit in the first vehicle for predicting a collision between the vehicles based on the position of the vehicles and travel lane data, and a reactive component arranged in the first vehicle and coupled to the processor. The reactive component is arranged to initiate an action or change its operation when a collision is predicted by the processor, e.g., sound or indicate an alarm.

A method includes identifying a geographic position of a wireless device. Data input by a user while the user is located at the geographic position of the wireless device is received. The data is associated with a landmark at the geographic position. The data is provided to a database based on the geographic position. A wireless device includes a transmitter configured to transmit a geographic position of the wireless device to a database. A receiver is configured to receive data input by a user of the wireless device while the user is located at the geographic position of the wireless device. The data is associated with a landmark at the geographic position of the wireless device. The receiver is configured to automatically receive information associated with the landmark from the database.