Geo-Collaboration System for Map Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies face challenges in effectively integrating geographical information systems (GIS) with collaborative software, particularly in sharing and navigating geospatial information across multiple computers, leading to complexities in data management and synchronization.
Innovation Solution
A geo-collaboration system that enables decentralized data updating, asynchronous and synchronous modes, and asymmetrical information management, allowing users to share and co-navigate geographical maps independently, regardless of their location, by using geo-collaboration software that integrates GIS with collaborative tools, enabling seamless sharing and synchronization of geospatial information across computers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If geographical information systems are integrated with collaborative software to enable sharing and co-navigation of maps across multiple computers, then collaborative capability and information sharing are improved, but data management complexity and synchronization difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a virtual repository as an intermediary component that mediates between multiple users and the geospatial data. This virtual repository serves as a centralized coordination point that manages data replication, storage, and synchronization across distributed computers, thereby enabling collaborative map viewing and navigation while abstracting away the complexity of direct peer-to-peer data management
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments geospatial data into multiple layers that can be independently managed, replicated, and synchronized. Each layer represents a distinct aspect of geographical information, allowing the system to divide complex data management tasks into manageable units that can be handled separately by different users and computers, reducing overall system complexity
2Productivity
If map data is replicated and synchronized across multiple computers for collaborative access, then accessibility and real-time collaboration are improved, but data synchronization complexity and storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary replication of map data layers to each user's local computer before collaborative sessions begin. This preliminary action ensures that all users have local copies of the data they need, enabling immediate real-time collaboration without waiting for network synchronization, while the virtual repository pre-coordinates what needs to be synchronized
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates and maintains copies of geospatial data layers across multiple computers through the virtual repository. Each user receives relevant copies of map layers locally, allowing independent access and real-time collaboration. The copying mechanism is managed centrally by the virtual repository, which tracks which copies need updating and coordinates synchronization, thereby reducing the complexity that would arise from unmanaged replication
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and computer readable medium for collaborating on geographical maps between two or more computers are disclosed. In particular, sharing a geographical location on a map between two or more computers and co-navigating a map between two or more computers are disclosed. With respect to sharing a geographical location, the geographical location is retrieved to the first computer. The geographical location is added to the map being rendered at the first computer and is sent to a second computer. A map including the geographical location is rendered at the second computer. With respect to co-navigating, a map is displayed from a map perspective at the first computer. The map perspective is sent to the second computer. A map from the same map perspective being displayed at the first computer is rendered at the second computer.