System And Method For Compiling Geospatial Data For On-Line Collaboration

• US 20090094214A1
• Filed: 12/15/2008
• Published: 04/09/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Elias C. Alvord, Jeremy A. Irish, Sean E. Boots
• Original Assignee: Elias C. Alvord, Jeremy A. Irish, Sean E. Boots
• Inventors: Alvord, Elias C., Boots, Sean E., Irish, Jeremy A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,442,963 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/284 Relational databases
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/29 Geographical information databases
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/954 Navigation, e.g. using categorised browsing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99932 Access augmentation or optimizing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99933 Query processing, i.e. searching

Abstract

A system and method for compiling geospatial data for on-line collaboration is provided. A database of categories is maintained. Each category includes one or more waymarks and is associated with at least one variable having one or more attributes, which each specify a type of data storable under that variable. A search is performed and one of the categories is selected. A new waymark is formed under the selected category. First, geospatial data defining a location is received from a user. Second, metadata describing a physical object associated with a location is received. One or more of the attributes, which each specify the type of data in agreement with the metadata is defined. Third, the geospatial data is compiled with the metadata for the new waymark. The new waymark is stored under the selected category. The new waymark is published on-line.

Claims

1. A system for compiling geospatial data for on-line collaboration, comprising:

a database configured to maintain categories, each category comprising one or more waymarks and associated with at least one variable having one or more attributes, which each specify a type of data storable under that variable;

a search component configured to perform a search for and to select one of the categories;

a waymark component configured to form a new waymark under the selected category, comprising;

a geospatial component configured to first, receive from a user, geospatial data defining a location;

a metadata component configured to second, receive metadata describing a physical object associated with the location and to define one or more of the attributes specifying the type of data in agreement with the metadata; and

a compiler configured to third, compile the geospatial data with the metadata for the new waymark; and

a publisher component configured to store the new waymark in the database under the selected category and to publish the new waymark on-line.

2. A system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a waymark search component configured to perform a search for published waymarks using at least one of a postal code, state, country, and location coordinates.

3. A system according to claim 2, further comprising:

a display component configured to present results of the search in a list, each result comprising at least one of a summary and a link for one of the published waymarks.

4. A system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a zone of influence component configured to receive zone of influence data from the user comprising further geospatial data defining a logically-enclosed physical space; and

a zone of influence storage component configured to store the zone of influence data with the new waymark.

5. A system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a directory configured to maintain the categories, wherein the search is performed using the directory.

6. A system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a manager configured to provide ownership controls over the database based on creation, ownership, and use.

7. A system according to claim 1, wherein the metadata comprises at least one of comments, ratings, physical characteristics, construction, color, dimensions, images, sound, video, and photographs.

8. A system according to claim 1, wherein the geospatial data comprises at least one of latitude, longitude, altitude, and precision.

9. A system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a schema component configured to dynamically generate an exportable schema by forming a data hierarchy comprising at least one of a directory, the categories, subcategories, the waymarks, and the variables and attributes associated with the categories.

10. A system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a metadata hierarchy component configured to store the-metadata in a metadata hierarchy comprising at least one of the categories, variables, and attributes, wherein the metadata hierarchy forms an exportable schema for the waymarks.

11. A system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a log component configured to maintain a log for each of the waymarks, comprising;

a log entry component configured to receive information from an other user for one of the waymarks and to generate a log entry comprising the information; and

a log entry storage component configured to store the log entry in the log associated with that waymark.

12. A system according to claim 11, wherein the information comprises at least one of narrative text, a rating regarding an interaction between the other user and the physical object associated with the location, and further metadata.

13. A method for compiling geospatial data for on-line collaboration, comprising:

maintaining a database of categories, each category comprising one or more waymarks and associated with at least one variable having one or more attributes, which each specify a type of data storable under that variable;

performing a search for and selecting one of the categories;

forming a new waymark under the selected category, comprising;

first, receiving from a user, geospatial data defining a location;

second, receiving metadata describing a physical object associated with the location and defining one or more of the attributes, which each specify the type of data in agreement with the metadata; and

third, compiling the geospatial data with the metadata for the new waymark; and

storing the new waymark under the selected category and publishing the new waymark on-line.

14. A method according to claim 13, further comprising:

performing a search for published waymarks using at least one of a postal code, state, country, and location coordinates.

15. A method according to claim 14, further comprising:

presenting results of the search in a list, each result comprising at least one of a summary and a link for one of the published waymarks.

16. A method according to claim 13, further comprising:

receiving zone of influence data from the user comprising further geospatial data defining a logically-enclosed physical space; and

storing the zone of influence data with the new waymark.

17. A method according to claim 13, further comprising:

maintaining a directory of the categories, wherein the search is performed using the directory.

18. A method according to claim 13, further comprising:

providing ownership controls over the database based on creation, ownership, and use.

19. A method according to claim 13, wherein the metadata comprises at least one of comments, ratings, physical characteristics, construction, color, dimensions, images, sound, video, and photographs.

20. A method according to claim 13, wherein the geospatial data comprises at least one of latitude, longitude, altitude, and precision.

21. A method according to claim 13, further comprising:

dynamically generating an exportable schema by forming a data hierarchy comprising at least one of a directory, the categories, subcategories, the waymarks, and the variables and attributes associated with the categories.

22. A method according to claim 13, further comprising:

storing the metadata in a metadata hierarchy comprising at least one of the categories, variables, and attributes, wherein the metadata hierarchy forms an exportable schema for the waymarks.

23. A method according to claim 13, further comprising:

maintaining a log for each of the waymarks, comprising;

receiving information from an other user for one of the waymarks;

generating a log entry comprising the information; and

storing the log entry in the log associated with that waymark.

24. A method according to claim 23, wherein the information comprises at least one of narrative text, a rating regarding an interaction between the other user and the physical object associated with the location, and further metadata.