Computerized national online parcel-level map data portal

• US 20030140064A1
• Filed: 01/17/2003
• Published: 07/24/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/18/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boundary Solutions Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Boundary Solutions Incorporated
• Inventors: Klein, Dennis H.
• Granted Patent: US 7,092,957 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 707/104.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/29 Geographical information databases
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9024 Graphs; Linked lists G06F16/9027 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/972 Access to data in other repository systems, e.g. legacy data or dynamic Web page generation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/102 Bill distribution or payments
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/92 Navigation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99931 Database or file accessing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99934 Query formulation, input preparation, or translation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99943 Generating database or data structure, e.g. via user interface
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99944 Object-oriented database structure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99945 Object-oriented database structure processing

Abstract

A National Online Parcel-Level Map Data Portal (NPDP) is provided that optimizes online delivery of parcel-level maps and linked attribute data. To do this, the NPDP manages a database of assembled and current vector based parcel data in a spatial format (GIS) that enables geocoded parcel boundaries to be linked to property tax records. A user enters a street address into an appropriate screen window to call up and view road right-of-ways, all parcel boundaries and the “exact” address location as a highlighted parcel area. In addition, a list of property record attributes such as owner, use code, assessed value and year constructed can be displayed. Other on screen parcels can likewise be selected if one wishes to view their linked attributes. Subscribers may customize the NPDP to perform a variety of spatial analysis/reporting functions. Under public/private alliances, agreements are negotiated with individual property assessor'"'"'s offices whereby they receive a portion of NPDP service provider revenue in return for parcel map database updates. Such on-going commerce between data sponsors and the NPDP service provider is utilized to assure a sustained and expanding flow of increasingly competent content.

Claims

1. A method for building a computerized on line parcel level map database comprising:

a. contacting a data sponsor to determine if data is available.

b. determining the conditions of data availability

c. acquiring the data in digital format pursuant to said conditions,

d. normalizing the data to a common spatial data protocol, and

e. storing said acquired data as a data file on one or more servers of a server system.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the data is normalized to a single indexing scheme where

a. parcel and street overlays are given the same theme name;

b. indexing fields link the boundary to an attribute record given attribute name;

c. all features are given the same color, line font and naming conventions;

d. street annotations are provided in theme size and orientation of text; and

,

e. view names are given a consistent naming convention.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the data sponsor is a local jurisdiction, and wherein agency officials of the local jurisdiction are contacted to determine the conditions of data availability.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the digital data file of the acquired data is updated periodically.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the digital data file of the acquired data is updated quarterly

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the electronic file of the acquired digital data file is automatically updated when the record is updated in the data sponsor database.

7. The method of claim 4 where the updating consists of the creation of a change layer that contains only new parcel boundaries those that have changed size due to the joining of two or more parcels and/or lot line adjustments.

8. The method of claim 3 wherein the data sponsor is reimbursed for providing updates.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein reimbursement is provided in the form of a revenue sharing based on a percentage of revenue generated through fees charged for use of the accessed data.

10. The method of claim 7 where the reimbursement is provided in the form of a percent of the profits generated from the use of the data.

11. The method of claim 7 where reimbursement is provided to the data sponsor in the form of a flat fee per transaction as recorded as part of server operations.

12. The method of claim 7 wherein reimbursement to the data sponsor includes free use of the NPDP digital database built according to the method of claim 1.

13. An interactive computer implemented method for retrieving parcel maps and associated data wherein the data is acquired electronically, comprising:

a. activating a computer terminal connected to a computer network;

b. accessing an applications program for access to the data; and

,

c. accessing a data entry screen and entering a parcel attribute to call up the parcel selected,

whereby in response to the inquiry, a map is generated and provided on screen, with the parcel highlighted and attribute data listed.

14. The method of claim 13 where in the attribute is an address.

15. The method of claim 14 where the parcel attribute is defined by entering the address in data entry boxes, one for state, one for city, one for street number and one for street name.

16. The method of claim 14 where the parcel attribute is defined by entering the address using a series of pull down menus.

17. The method of claim 13 where the parcel is displayed to the center of the image.

18. The method of claim 13 in which the user can adjust the scale of the on screen view of the map to be displayed.

19. The method of claim 13 wherein the default scale of the map displayed is selected sufficient to fill the computer display screen with an area around the subject parcel 4×

the size of the subject parcel.

21. The method of claim 13 whereby the user can highlight the data presented to link to a file containing additional parcel attribute data.

22. The method of claim 13 where the user can highlight other displayed parcels on the displayed map, and query the database for information on the newly highlighted parcel.

23. The method of claim 22 where the user can highlight several parcels at once and query the database to generate a data table for the highlighted parcels.

24. The method of claim 13 where the user can select an attribute other than the parcel address to create a map highlighting all parcels having the selected attribute.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein the attribute can be selected from a list of one or more specialized fields, including but not limited zoning, flood, earthquake, fire rating, year built, and environmental conditions.

26. The method of claim 13 where the displayed data includes a metadata record describing the quality of the data set displayed.

34. The method of claim 25 wherein service subscriber subscription agreements are entered into where the service subscriber pays an annual fee for non-password protected NPDP access by their end users to defined functionality.

20. The method of claim 113 wherein the boundary of the map to be generated on screen is established by the end user when provided with a scale selection mode for setting the map scale.

27. A method for generating revenue for the providing of an online national parcel level map database whereby data is displayed on a computer screen in the form of a parcel map including adjacent and nearby parcels and right-of-ways within a defined area, the method including:

a. building a digital database of electronic files for individual parcels on an geographic entity by entity basis;

b. storing said database on a server system, which file may be accessed upon query to a software program; and

,

c. providing access to said electronic database to users on a subscription basis.

28. The method of claim 27 where the user is a service subscriber.

29. The method of claim 27 where the subscriber is an end user.

30. The method of claim 27 where additional data files are linked to the individual parcel files, and a fee charged for access to the linked data.

31. The method of claim 28 wherein the service subscriber develops custom features which it provides to is users.

32. The method of claim 31 wherein the Service Subscriber charges end users a fee for the use of the developed custom features.

33. The method of claim 29 wherein access to the electronic data base is provided by a Service Provider.

36. The method of claim 27 wherein revenue is collected by credit or user card on a transaction by transaction basis based on the number of transactions and/or the duration of transactions.

37. The method of claim 27 wherein revenue share agreements are entered into providing for compensation from other data providers that bundle NPDP Parcel-level data with their specialized data overlays.

38. The method of claim 28 wherein the subscriber is enabled to download the NPDP content to their own servers for local and/or internet use wherein the subscriber distributes content to their users either internally to their organization and/or externally across the internet.