Multimedia search system

• US 20050251515A1
• Filed: 06/13/2005
• Published: 11/10/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/1989
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ann Jensen, Carl Holzman, Carol Greenhalgh, Dale Good, Dave Maatman, Derryl Rogers, Edwardo Munevar, Greg Bestick, Harold Kester, Michael Reed, Neil Holman, Norman J. Bastin, Ron Carlton, Stanley D. Frank
• Original Assignee: Ann Jensen, Carl Holzman, Carol Greenhalgh, Dale Good, Dave Maatman, Derryl Rogers, Edwardo Munevar, Greg Bestick, Harold Kester, Michael Reed, Neil Holman, Norman J. Bastin, Ron Carlton, Stanley D. Frank
• Inventors: Reed, Michael, Kester, Harold, Carlton, Ron, Greenhalgh, Carol, Rogers, Derryl, Munevar, Edwardo, Good, Dale, Frank, Stanley D., Holzman, Carl, Jensen, Ann, Holman, Neil, Bastin, Norman J., Bestick, Greg, Maatman, Dave
• Granted Patent: US 7,051,018 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/29 Geographical information databases
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/332 Query formulation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/3322 using system suggestions G06F16/3325 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/48 Retrieval characterised by using metadata, e.g. metadata not derived from the content or metadata generated manually
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/532 Query formulation, e.g. graphical querying
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/54 Browsing; Visualisation therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/58 Retrieval characterised by using metadata, e.g. metadata not derived from the content or metadata generated manually
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/213 Read-only discs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/2545 CDs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/105 of operating discs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/34 Indicating arrangements indicating means incorporated in magazine or cassette G11B23/046 and G11B23/0875; indicating measured values in general G01D
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/919 Geographic
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99933 Query processing, i.e. searching
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99943 Generating database or data structure, e.g. via user interface
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99945 Object-oriented database structure processing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99948 Application of database or data structure, e.g. distributed, multimedia, or image

Abstract

A database search system that retrieves multimedia information in a flexible, user friendly system. The search system uses a multimedia database consisting of text, picture, audio and animated data. That database is searched through multiple graphical and textual entry paths. Those entry paths include an idea search, a title finder search, a topic tree search, a picture explorer search, a history timeline search, a world atlas search, a researcher'"'"'s assistant search, and a feature articles search.

Claims

1-79. -79. (canceled)

80. A computerized map system, comprising:

a computer readable storage medium;

computer software stored on the storage medium and operable to;

cause an image of at least a portion of a map to be displayed on a display screen;

provide a zoom feature wherein portions of the map can be viewed on the display screen in various scales;

provide a pan feature wherein the user may provide input to cause the map image on the display screen to pan in a plurality of directions;

display a plurality of place indicators on the display screen, wherein a specific place indicator indicates the position of a place on the map and indicates that further information about the place is available;

display text information associated with a first one of the plurality of place indicators in response to input from a user indicating selection of the first place indicator;

provide a text browse feature that allows the user to browse a first list of places, select a first place from the first list, and display an image of a part of the map indicating the location of the first place in response to input from the user; and

provide a text search feature that allows the user to enter textual search information to search for a second place, receive a second list of places in response to the search, select a second place from the second list of places, and display an image of a part of the map indicating the location of the second place in response to input from the user.

81. The system of claim 80, wherein the computer software is further operable to display reference coordinates on the display screen corresponding to the geographic location of at least one point on the map displayed on the display screen.

82. The system of claim 81, wherein the reference coordinates are latitude and longitude coordinates.

83. The system of claim 80, wherein the computer software is further operable to display reference coordinates on the display screen corresponding to the geographic location of the first place after the user has selected the first place.

84. The system of claim 80, wherein the computer software is further operable to display reference coordinates on the display screen corresponding to the geographic location of the second place after the user has selected the second place.

85. The system of claim 80, wherein the computer software is further operable to cause latitude and longitude lines to be displayed on the display screen.

86. The system of claim 80, wherein the computer software is further operable to cause at least one textual article about a place on the map to be retrieved in response to input from the user.

87. The system of claim 80, wherein the computer software is further operable to allow the user to provide input that causes a cursor to move on the display screen;

and cause the portion of the map displayed on the display screen to be altered in response to the movement of the cursor.

88. The system of claim 80, wherein the computer software is further operable to display place names on the display screen.

89. The system of claim 88, wherein the computer software is further operable to allow the user to selectively control whether place names are displayed on the display screen.

90. The system of claim 80, wherein the computer software is further operable to allow the user to selectively control whether the place indicators are displayed on the display screen.

91. The system of claim 80, wherein the computer software is further operable to cause a mileage scale to be displayed on the display screen for the portion of the map that is being displayed.

92. The system of claim 80, wherein the text browse feature displays a list of places that a user may scroll through.

93. The system of claim 82, wherein the computer software is further operable to cause latitude and longitude lines to be displayed on the display screen.

94. The system of claim 87, wherein the computer software is further operable to display reference coordinates on the display screen corresponding to the geographic location of at least one point on the map displayed on the display screen.

95. The system of claim 87, wherein the computer software is further operable to display reference coordinates on the display screen corresponding to the geographic location of the first place after the user has selected the first place.

96. The system of claim 87, wherein the computer software is further operable to display reference coordinates on the display screen corresponding to the geographic location of the second place after the user has selected the second place.

97. The system of claim 87, wherein the computer software is further operable to allow the user to selectively control whether the place indicators are displayed on the display screen.

98. The system of claim 97, wherein the computer software is further operable to display reference coordinates on the display screen corresponding to the geographic location of at least one point on the map displayed on the display screen.

99. The system of claim 97, wherein the computer software is further operable to display reference coordinates on the display screen corresponding to the geographic location of the first place after the user has selected the first place.

100. The system of claim 97, wherein the computer software is further operable to display reference coordinates on the display screen corresponding to the geographic location of the second place after the user has selected the second place.

101. The system of claim 97, wherein the computer software is further operable to cause a mileage scale to be displayed on the display screen for the portion of the map that is being displayed.

102. The system of claim 97, wherein the text browse feature displays a list of places that a user may scroll through.

103. The system of claim 102, wherein the computer software is further operable to display reference coordinates on the display screen corresponding to the geographic location of at least one point on the map displayed on the display screen.

104. The system of claim 102, wherein the computer software is further operable to display reference coordinates on the display screen corresponding to the geographic location of the first place after the user has selected the first place.

105. The system of claim 102, wherein the computer software is further operable to display reference coordinates on the display screen corresponding to the geographic location of the second place after the user has selected the second place.

106. The system of claim 103, wherein the computer software is further operable to cause a mileage scale to be displayed on the display screen for the portion of the map that is being displayed.

107. The system of claim 88, wherein the place names serve as place indicators.

108. The system of claim 90, wherein the computer software is further operable to display reference coordinates on the display screen corresponding to the geographic location of at least one point on the map displayed on the display screen.

109. The system of claim 90, wherein the computer software is further operable to display reference coordinates on the display screen corresponding to the geographic location of the first place after the user has selected the first place.

110. The system of claim 90, wherein the computer software is further operable to display reference coordinates on the display screen corresponding to the geographic location of the second place after the user has selected the second place.

111. The system of claim 90, wherein the computer software is further operable to cause a mileage scale to be displayed on the display screen for the portion of the map that is being displayed.

112. The system of claim 111, wherein the computer software is further operable to display reference coordinates on the display screen corresponding to the geographic location of at least one point on the map displayed on the display screen.

113. The system of claim 111, wherein the computer software is further operable to display reference coordinates on the display screen corresponding to the geographic location of the first place after the user has selected the first place.

114. The system of claim 111, wherein the computer software is further operable to display reference coordinates on the display screen corresponding to the geographic location of the second place after the user has selected the second place.

115. The system of claim 92, wherein the computer software is further operable to display reference coordinates on the display screen corresponding to the geographic location of at least one point on the map displayed on the display screen.

116. The system of claim 92, wherein the computer software is further operable to display reference coordinates on the display screen corresponding to the geographic location of the first place after the user has selected the first place.

117. The system of claim 92, wherein the computer software is further operable to display reference coordinates on the display screen corresponding to the geographic location of the second place after the user has selected the second place.

118. The system of claim 92, wherein the computer software is further operable to allow the user to provide input that causes a cursor to move on the display screen;

and cause the portion of the map displayed on the display screen to be altered in response to the movement of the cursor.

119. The system of claim 92, wherein the computer software is further operable to allow the user to selectively control whether the place indicators are displayed on the display screen.

120. The system of claim 118 wherein the computer software is further operable to display reference coordinates on the display screen corresponding to the geographic location of at least one point on the map displayed on the display screen.

121. The system of claim 118, wherein the computer software is further operable to display reference coordinates on the display screen corresponding to the geographic location of the first place after the user has selected the first place.

122. The system of claim 118, wherein the computer software is further operable to display reference coordinates on the display screen corresponding to the geographic location of the second place after the user has selected the second place.

123. The system of claim 119, wherein the computer software is further operable to display reference coordinates on the display screen corresponding to the geographic location of at least one point on the map displayed on the display screen.

124. The system of claim 119, wherein the computer software is further operable to display reference coordinates on the display screen corresponding to the geographic location of the first place after the user has selected the first place.

125. The system of claim 119, wherein the computer software is further operable to display reference coordinates on the display screen corresponding to the geographic location of the second place after the user has selected the second place.

173. The system of claim 80, wherein at least part of the text information may also be retrieved through either the text browse feature or text search feature.

126. A method of electronically using a map, comprising:

causing an image of at least a portion of a map to be displayed on an electronic display screen;

providing a zoom feature wherein portions of the map can be viewed on the display screen in various scales;

providing a pan feature wherein the user may provide input to cause the map image on the display screen to pan in a plurality of directions;

displaying a plurality of place indicators on the display screen, wherein a specific place indicator indicates the position of a place on the map and indicates that further information about the place is available;

displaying text information associated with a first one of the plurality of place indicators in response to input from a user indicating selection of the first place indicator;

providing a text browse feature that allows the user to browse a first list of places, select a first place from the first list, and display an image of a part of the map indicating the location of the first place in response to input from the user; and

providing a text search feature that allows the user to enter textual search information to search for a second place, receive a second list of places in response to the search, select a second place from the second list of places, and display an image of a part of the map indicating the location of the second place in response to input from the user.

127. The method of claim 126, further comprising displaying reference coordinates on the display screen corresponding to the geographic location of at least one point on the map displayed on the display screen.

128. The method of claim 127, wherein the reference coordinates are latitude and longitude coordinates.

129. The method of claim 126, further comprising displaying reference coordinates on the display screen corresponding to the geographic location of the first place after the user has selected the first place.

130. The method of claim 126, further comprising displaying reference coordinates on the display screen corresponding to the geographic location of the second place after the user has selected the second place.

131. The method of claim 126, further comprising causing latitude and longitude lines to be displayed on the display screen.

132. The method of claim 126, further comprising causing at least one textual article about a place on the map to be retrieved in response to input from the user.

133. The method of claim 126, further comprising causing a cursor to move on the display screen in response to input from the user;

and causing the portion of the map displayed on the display screen to be altered in response to the movement of the cursor.

134. The method of claim 126, further comprising displaying place names on the display screen.

135. The method of claim 134, further comprising selectively controlling whether place names are displayed on the display screen in response to input from the user.

136. The method of claim 126, further comprising selectively controlling whether the place indicators are displayed on the display screen in response to input from the user.

137. The method of claim 126, further comprising causing a mileage scale to be displayed on the display screen for the portion of the map that is being displayed.

138. The method of claim 126, wherein the text browse feature displays a list of places that a user may scroll through.

139. The method of claim 128, further comprising causing latitude and longitude lines to be displayed on the display screen.

140. The method of claim 133, further comprising displaying reference coordinates on the display screen corresponding to the geographic location of at least one point on the map displayed on the display screen.

141. The method of claim 133, further comprising displaying reference coordinates on the display screen corresponding to the geographic location of the first place after the user has selected the first place.

142. The method of claim 133, further comprising displaying reference coordinates on the display screen corresponding to the geographic location of the second place after the user has selected the second place.

143. The method of claim 133, further comprising selectively controlling whether the place indicators are displayed on the display screen in response to input from the user.

144. The method of claim 143, further comprising displaying reference coordinates on the display screen corresponding to the geographic location of at least one point on the map displayed on the display screen.

145. The method of claim 143, further comprising displaying reference coordinates on the display screen corresponding to the geographic location of the first place after the user has selected the first place.

146. The method of claim 133, further comprising displaying reference coordinates on the display screen corresponding to the geographic location of the second place after the user has selected the second place.

147. The method of claim 133, further comprising causing a mileage scale to be displayed on the display screen for the portion of the map that is being displayed.

148. The method of claim 133, wherein the text browse feature displays a list of places that a user may scroll through.

149. The method of claim 148, further comprising displaying reference coordinates on the display screen corresponding to the geographic location of at least one point on the map displayed on the display screen.

150. The method of claim 148, further comprising displaying reference coordinates on the display screen corresponding to the geographic location of the first place after the user has selected the first place.

151. The method of claim 148, further comprising displaying reference coordinates on the display screen corresponding to the geographic location of the second place after the user has selected the second place.

152. The method of claim 149, further comprising causing a mileage scale to be displayed on the display screen for the portion of the map that is being displayed.

153. The method of claim 134, wherein the place names serve as place indicators.

154. The method of claim 136, further comprising displaying reference coordinates on the display screen corresponding to the geographic location of at least one point on the map displayed on the display screen.

155. The method of claim 136, further comprising displaying reference coordinates on the display screen corresponding to the geographic location of the first place after the user has selected the first place.

156. The method of claim 136, further comprising displaying reference coordinates on the display screen corresponding to the geographic location of the second place after the user has selected the second place.

157. The method of claim 136, further comprising causing a mileage scale to be displayed on the display screen for the portion of the map that is being displayed.

158. The method of claim 157, further comprising displaying reference coordinates on the display screen corresponding to the geographic location of at least one point on the map displayed on the display screen.

159. The method of claim 157, further comprising displaying reference coordinates on the display screen corresponding to the geographic location of the first place after the user has selected the first place.

160. The method of claim 157, further comprising displaying reference coordinates on the display screen corresponding to the geographic location of the second place after the user has selected the second place.

161. The method of claim 138, further comprising displaying reference coordinates on the display screen corresponding to the geographic location of at least one point on the map displayed on the display screen.

162. The method of claim 138, further comprising displaying reference coordinates on the display screen corresponding to the geographic location of the first place after the user has selected the first place.

163. The method of claim 138, further comprising displaying reference coordinates on the display screen corresponding to the geographic location of the second place after the user has selected the second place.

164. The method of claim 138, further comprising causing a cursor to move on the display screen in response to input from the user;

and causing the portion of the map displayed on the display screen to be altered in response to the movement of the cursor.

165. The method of claim 138, further comprising selectively controlling whether place names are displayed on the display screen in response to input from the user.

166. The method of claim 164, further comprising displaying reference coordinates on the display screen corresponding to the geographic location of at least one point on the map displayed on the display screen.

167. The method of claim 164, further comprising displaying reference coordinates on the display screen corresponding to the geographic location of the first place after the user has selected the first place.

168. The method of claim 164, further comprising displaying reference coordinates on the display screen corresponding to the geographic location of the second place after the user has selected the second place.

169. The method of claim 165, further comprising displaying reference coordinates on the display screen corresponding to the geographic location of at least one point on the map displayed on the display screen.

170. The method of claim 165, further comprising displaying reference coordinates on the display screen corresponding to the geographic location of the first place after the user has selected the first place.

171. The method of claim 165, further comprising displaying reference coordinates on the display screen corresponding to the geographic location of the second place after the user has selected the second place.

172. The method of claim 126, wherein at least part of the text information may also be retrieved through either the text browse feature or text search feature.

174. A computerized map system, comprising:

a computer readable storage medium;

computer software stored on the storage medium and operable to;

cause an image of at least a portion of a map to be displayed on a display screen;

change the portion of the map displayed on the display screen in response to user input;

display a plurality of place indicators on the display screen, wherein a specific place indicator indicates the position of a place on the map and indicates that further information about the place is available;

display text information associated with a first one of the plurality of place indicators in response to input from a user indicating selection of the first place indicator;

provide a text search feature that allows the user to enter textual search information to search for a first place, receive a first list of places in response to the search, select a first place from the first list of places, and display an image of a part of the map indicating the location of the first place in response to input from the user.

175. The system of claim 174, wherein the computer software is further operable to display reference coordinates on the display screen corresponding to the geographic location of at least one point on the map displayed on the display screen.

176. The system of claim 175, wherein the reference coordinates are latitude and longitude coordinates.

177. The system of claim 174, wherein the computer software is further operable to display reference coordinates on the display screen corresponding to the geographic location of the first place after the user has selected the first place.

178. The system of claim 174, wherein the computer software is further operable to allow the user to provide input that causes a cursor to move on the display screen;

and cause the portion of the map displayed on the display screen to be altered in response to the movement of the cursor.

179. The system of claim 174, wherein the computer software is further operable to display place names on the display screen.

180. The system of claim 178, wherein the computer software is further operable to allow the user to selectively control whether place names are displayed on the display screen.

181. The system of claim 174, wherein the computer software is further operable to allow the user to selectively control whether the place indicators are displayed on the display screen.

182. The system of claim 174, wherein the computer software is further operable to cause a mileage scale to be displayed on the display screen for the portion of the map that is being displayed.

183. The system of claim 174, wherein the computer software is further operable to provide a text browse feature that allows the user to browse a second list of places, select a second place from the second list, and display an image of a part of the map indicating the location of the second place in response to input from the user.

184. The system of claim 178, wherein the computer software is further operable to display reference coordinates on the display screen corresponding to the geographic location of at least one point on the map displayed on the display screen.

185. The system of claim 178, wherein the computer software is further operable to display reference coordinates on the display screen corresponding to the geographic location of the first place after the user has selected the first place.

186. The system of claim 178, wherein the computer software is further operable to allow the user to selectively control whether the place indicators are displayed on the display screen.

187. The system of claim 186, wherein the computer software is further operable to display reference coordinates on the display screen corresponding to the geographic location of at least one point on the map displayed on the display screen.

188. The system of claim 178, wherein the place names serve as place indicators.

189. The system of claim 181, wherein the computer software is further operable to display reference coordinates on the display screen corresponding to the geographic location of at least one point on the map displayed on the display screen.

190. The system of claim 181, wherein the computer software is further operable to display reference coordinates on the display screen corresponding to the geographic location of the first place after the user has selected the first place.

191. The system of claim 174, wherein at least part of the text information may also be retrieved through the text search feature.

192. A method of electronically using a map, comprising:

causing an image of at least a portion of a map to be displayed on a display screen;

changing the portion of the map displayed on the display screen in response to user input;

displaying a plurality of place indicators on the display screen, wherein a specific place indicator indicates the position of a place on the map and indicates that further information about the place is available;

displaying text information associated with a first one of the plurality of place indicators in response to input from a user indicating selection of the first place indicator; and

providing a text search feature that allows the user to enter textual search information to search for a first place, receive a first list of places in response to the search, select a first place from the first list of places, and display an image of a part of the map indicating the location of the first place in response to input from the user.

193. The method of claim 192, further comprising displaying reference coordinates on the display screen corresponding to the geographic location of at least one point on the map displayed on the display screen.

194. The method of claim 193, wherein the reference coordinates are latitude and longitude coordinates.

195. The method of claim 192, further comprising displaying reference coordinates on the display screen corresponding to the geographic location of the first place after the user has selected the first place.

196. The method of claim 192, further comprising causing a cursor to move on the display screen in response to input from the user;

and causing the portion of the map displayed on the display screen to be altered in response to the movement of the cursor.

197. The method of claim 192, further comprising displaying place names on the display screen.

198. The method of claim 197, further comprising selectively controlling whether place names are displayed on the display screen in response to input from the user.

199. The method of claim 192, further comprising selectively controlling whether the place indicators are displayed on the display screen in response to input from the user.

200. The method of claim 192, further comprising causing a mileage scale to be displayed on the display screen for the portion of the map that is being displayed.

201. The method of claim 192, further comprising providing a text browse feature that allows the user to browse a second list of places, select a second place from the second list, and display an image of a part of the map indicating the location of the second place in response to input from the user.

202. The method of claim 196, further comprising displaying reference coordinates on the display screen corresponding to the geographic location of at least one point on the map displayed on the display screen.

203. The method of claim 196, further comprising displaying reference coordinates on the display screen corresponding to the geographic location of the first place after the user has selected the first place.

204. The method of claim 196, further comprising selectively controlling whether the place indicators are displayed on the display screen in response to input from the user.

205. The method of claim 204, further comprising displaying reference coordinates on the display screen corresponding to the geographic location of at least one point on the map displayed on the display screen.

206. The method of claim 197, wherein the place names serve as place indicators.

207. The method of claim 199, further comprising displaying reference coordinates on the display screen corresponding to the geographic location of at least one point on the map displayed on the display screen.

208. The method of claim 199, further comprising displaying reference coordinates on the display screen corresponding to the geographic location of the first place after the user has selected the first place.

209. The method of claim 192, wherein at least part of the text information may also be retrieved through the text search feature.