Method and apparatus for creating and maintaining a GIS
First Claim
1. A system for presenting a GIS, comprising:
- (A) a database containing map data and related data, said related data linked to said map data;
(B) a server computer running GIS software for presenting the map data and the related data, said server having access to data in said database, and connected to the Internet;
(C) means for updating said related data.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system for presenting a GIS and method for making and using one includes the necessary hardware and software for presenting a GIS over the Internet. The GIS is particularly useful for municipalities and has an interactive, searchable database containing map data and parcel related data, such as tax records and information useful to various departments in a town, such as the police and building licensing departments. A server computer running GIS software presents the map data and the parcel related data to town users over the Internet. The system includes means for updating the related data by utilizing a system where towns fax forms to the system which converts them to image files from which relevant data fields are extracted and evaluated by optical character recognition. To fund the establishment, use and maintenance of the system, citizens are charged fees for submitting data change transactions, i.e., when forms, such as a building application are submitted to the towns. Civil engineers participate in the system by, inter alia, buying licenses to use and market the system to towns, teaching the towns how to use the system, preparing and maintaining maps and otherwise functioning as technical experts mediating between the towns and the system owner.
45 Citations
39 Claims
-
1. A system for presenting a GIS, comprising:
-
(A) a database containing map data and related data, said related data linked to said map data;
(B) a server computer running GIS software for presenting the map data and the related data, said server having access to data in said database, and connected to the Internet;
(C) means for updating said related data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 12, 13, 14, 35)
-
- 3. The system of claim 3, wherein said political unit is in the nature of a municipality and said governmental functions include public service, public works, taxing and police power.
-
15. The system of claim 15 wherein said related data pertaining to a parcel of property can be accessed by selecting the parcel from the graphical map interface or by selecting a municipal department having responsibility for processing forms containing said related data sought.
-
16. A method for developing a GIS, comprising the steps of:
-
(A) providing a database structure for containing map data and related data linked to said map data;
(B) providing a server computer running GIS software for presenting the map data and the related data, said server computer having access to data in said database, and connected to the Internet;
(C) creating at least one map of a geographic area and storing it in the database;
(D) storing related data associated with the geographical area depicted in the at least one map in the database;
(E) linking the map to the associated data;
(F) providing the GIS to users over the Internet;
(G) charging fees to the users of municipal services for data change transactions that effect the related data in the database. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
-
-
37. A method for developing a GIS, comprising the steps of:
-
(A) providing a database structure for containing map data and related data linked to said map data;
(B) providing a server computer running GIS software for presenting the map data and the related data, said server computer having access to data in said database, and connected to the Internet;
(C) creating at least one map of a geographic area and storing it in the database;
(D) storing related data associated with the geographical area depicted in the at least one map in the database;
(E) linking the map to the associated data;
(F) providing the GIS to users over the Internet;
(G) charging the users of the GIS for viewing data in the database. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39)
-
Specification