DOCUMENT GEOSPATIAL SHAPE TAGGING, SEARCHING, ARCHIVING, AND RETRIEVAL SOFTWARE

• US 20100293193A1
• Filed: 07/27/2010
• Published: 11/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: LandNet Corp.
• Original Assignee: LandNet Corp.
• Inventors: Harrison, Craig D., Funk, Brian R.
• Application Number:
  US12/844,652
• Publication Number:
  US 20100293193A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 707/769
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/29 Geographical information databases
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/907 Retrieval characterised by using metadata, e.g. metadata not derived from the content or metadata generated manually
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management

Abstract

Disclosed is a document geospatial tagging, searching, archiving, and retrieval software system. The software system includes a tool that tags electronic documents with a geospatial tag. The geospatial tag indicates the shape and the geospatial points, in order, that define the location and extent of the geospatial location associated with an electronic document. Each point in the geospatial tag may be comprised of an X coordinate value, a Y coordinate value, an elevation/height value, and a date and time value. Electronic documents may be tagged manually by the user, automatically by the software application creating the document, or via a tagging search engine that searches files for geospatial location data and then tags each file with the results of the search. Once the electronic documents have been geospatially tagged, a search engine may search a network, either an intranet or the Internet, in order to locate electronic documents associated with a user desired geospatial location. After electronic documents associated with a desired geospatial location have been found and retrieved, the electronic documents may be stored on an archival storage system for future use. The documents may also be moved to a different electronic storage device/location for easy access by the user. The documents may also be sorted according to different aspects of the geospatial tag linked to each document. Different types of sorts are possible using the geospatial data contained in the geospatial tag, including: sorting by size of the geospatial area, sorting by elevation/height values, date and time values, and the type of shape of the geospatial area.

Claims

1. A method of searching electronic files comprising:

obtaining geospatial location data relating to a location of interest;

converting said geospatial location data into a range of geospatial coordinate search points;

searching geospatial tags linked with said electronic files for said range of geospatial coordinate search points, said geospatial tags storing geospatial shape data for each of said electronic files linked to each of said geospatial tags, each of said geospatial tags delineating a geospatial shape associated with each of said electronic files using at least two elements, a shape element and a geospatial coordinate element, said shape element defining said shape of said geospatial shape data, and said geospatial coordinate element defining said geospatial coordinates of said geospatial shape data;

identifying found electronic files, said found electronic files being a subset of said electronic files wherein said geospatial tags linked to said electronic files contain at least one geospatial coordinate search point of said range of geospatial coordinate search points;

retrieving said found electronic files; and

delivering said found electronic files to a user.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said range of geospatial coordinate search points comprises a single geospatial coordinate search point.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising storing said found electronic files on an archival data storage system.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising moving said found electronic files to a desired electronic storage location from an original delivery location.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising sorting said found electronic files based on elements of said geospatial tags associated with each of said found electronic files.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein said elements of said geospatial tags used for sorting said electronic files are comprised of at least one of:

size of an area defined by said geospatial tags, date and time defined by said geospatial tags, height defined by said geospatial tags, and type of shape of said geospatial tags.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein said geospatial location data is comprised of at least one of the group consisting of:

a street address;

latitude and longitude coordinates;

Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) coordinates;

county;

postal code;

parcel;

tract, lot and block; and

township, range and section.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of obtaining said geospatial location data further comprises a user manually entering said geospatial location data.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of obtaining said geospatial location data further comprises:

a user drawing a shape on a digital map using a drawing tool; and

converting said shape into said geospatial location data.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of obtaining said geospatial location data further comprises:

a user drawing a shape on a digital image using a drawing tool; and

converting said shape into said geospatial location data.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of obtaining said geospatial location data further comprises:

a user entering metes and bounds data using a metes and bounds tool; and

converting said metes and bounds data into said geospatial location data.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of obtaining said geospatial location data further comprises:

a user entering latitude and longitude data using a table of latitude and longitudes tool; and

converting said latitude and longitude data into said geospatial location data.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of obtaining said geospatial location data further comprises:

a user entering Global Positioning System (GPS) data using a GPS field entry tool; and

converting said GPS data into said geospatial location data.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of delivering said found electronic files delivers said found electronic files in a format comprising at least one of the group consisting of:

a list of said found electronic files, copies of said found electronic files, and said found electronic files opened on a land web site.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein said electronic file is comprised of at least one of the group consisting of:

e-documents, digital images, digital photos, and digital maps.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein said e-documents is comprised of at least one of the group consisting of:

Contract and Pre-closing Documents, Letter of Intent, Contract to Buy and Sell Real Estate, Agreement to Amend/Extend, Contract Assignment, Contract Addenda, Lead-Based Paint Disclosure, Inspection Notice, Brokerage Disclosure, Seller'"'"'s Property Disclosure, Counterproposal, Earnest Money Promissory Note, Conveyance Documents, General/Special Warranty Deeds, Quit Claim Deeds, Bill of Sale, Water Stock Assignments, Mineral Deed, Water Tap Transfers, Well Permit Transfer, Loan Documents, Deed of Trust, Promissory Note, UCC Financing Statements, Security Agreement, Credit Report, Title and Survey Documents, Title Insurance Commitment, ALTA/ACSM Land Title Survey, Tax Certificate, Closing Instructions, Statement of Settlement, Real Property Transfer Declaration, Forms DR-1083, Agreement for Taxes, Utility Agreement, Closing Confirmation for 1099 Reporting, Title Insurance Owner'"'"'s Policy, Title Insurance Lender'"'"'s Policy, Organization and Authority Documents, Articles of Organization, By-Laws, Operating Agreement, Certificate of Good Standing, Resolutions/Unanimous Consents, Power of Attorney (Real Estate) Documents, Due Diligence Documents, Architectural Drawings, As-Built Building Plans, Building Inspection, Compliance Checks, Constraints Analysis, Construction Design Documents, Endangered Species Reports, Existing Deed of Trust, Geology Studies, Guarantees/Warrantees, Hydrology Studies, Land Plans, Leases, Market Feasibility Studies, Mining Reports, Oil and Gas Leases, Permits and Licenses, Personal Property Inventory, Phase 1 Environmental Studies, Phase 2 Environmental Studies, Property Insurance, Service and Maintenance Contracts, Sketch Plans, Soils Reports, Traffic Studies, Utilities, Wetlands Studies, Wildlife Studies, Zoning Maps, and Zoning Regulations.

17. The method of claim 1 wherein said shape element comprises at least one of the group consisting of:

point, line, open arc, polygon, oval, circle and closed arc.

18. The method of claim 1 wherein said geospatial coordinate element comprises a set of points, said set of points combining with said shape element to define an extent of said geospatial location.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein each of said range of geospatial coordinate search points and each of said set of points are comprised of an x coordinate and a y coordinate as defined by a geographic coordinate system.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein said geographic coordinate system comprises at least one of the group consisting of:

latitude/longitude coordinates, and Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) coordinates.

21. The method of claim 18 wherein each of said range of geospatial coordinate search points and each point of said set of points are comprised of a latitude coordinate value and a longitude coordinate value.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein each of said range of geospatial coordinate search points and each of said set of points further comprise a height value.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein said height value is measured using a measurement unit comprised of at least one of the group consisting of:

meters, kilometers, feet, yards, and miles.

24. The method of claim 22 wherein said extent of said geospatial location comprises a three dimensional volume.

25. The method of claim 18 wherein each of said range of geospatial coordinate search points and each of said set of points further comprise a date and time value.

26. The method of claim 18 wherein said set of points define a point shape such that said set of points comprises a single point delineating said point shape.

27. The method of claim 18 wherein said set of points define a line shape such that said set of points comprises two points, a start point delineating a start of said line shape and an end point delineating an end of said line shape, wherein said extent of said geospatial location comprises a range of geospatial points delineating said line shape.

28. The method of claim 27 further comprising a set of additional points comprised of at least one additional point, wherein said set of additional points delineates a corner of said line shape such that said line starts at said start point and is straight line connected to each of said additional points in order, and said line ends when a last point of said additional points is straight line connected to said end point of said line shape.

29. The method of claim 18 wherein said set of points define an open arc shape such that said set of points comprises a center point delineating a center of an oval containing said open arc shape, a start point being a first point on said oval where said open arc shape begins and an end point being a second point on said oval where said open arc shape ends, and a curving boundary line drawn following a path on said oval between said start point and said end point of said open arc shape, wherein said extent of said geospatial location comprises a range of geospatial points delineating said open arc shape.

30. The method of claim 18 wherein said set of points define a polygon shape such that said set of points comprises a start point of said polygon shape, an end point of said polygon shape, and a set of additional points comprising at least one additional point of said polygon shape, said start point of said polygon shape being straight line connected to a first point of said additional points, each of said additional points straight lined connected to a next point of said additional points until a last point of said additional points is reached, said last point of said additional points being straight line connected to said end point of said polygon shape, and said end point closing said polygon shape by being straight line connected to said start point of said polygon shape, wherein said extent of said geospatial location comprises a range of geospatial points delineating and contained within said polygon shape.

31. The method of claim 18 wherein said set of points define an oval shape such that said set of points comprises a center point of said oval shape, a first point on said oval shape, and a second point on said oval shape, said oval shape drawn such that both said first point and said second point appear on said oval shape and said center point is located at a center of said oval shape, wherein said extent of said geospatial location comprises a range of geospatial points delineating and contained within said oval shape.

32. The method of claim 18 wherein said set of points define a circle shape such that said set of points comprises a center point of said circle shape and a perimeter point located on said circle shape, said circle shape drawn such that said perimeter point appears on said circle shape and said center point is located at a center of said circle shape, wherein said extent of said geospatial location comprises a range of geospatial points delineating and contained within said circle shape.

33. The method of claim 18 wherein said set of points define a closed arc shape such that said set of points comprises a center point delineating a center of an oval containing said closed arc shape, a start point being a first point on said oval where said closed arc shape begins and an end point being a second point on said oval where said closed arc shape ends, a curving boundary line drawn following a path on said oval between said start point and said end point of said closed arc shape, a first straight line drawn from said start point to said center point, and a second straight line drawn from said end point to said center point closing said closed arc shape, wherein said extent of said geospatial location comprises a range of geospatial points delineating and contained within said closed arc shape.

34. The method of claim 18 further comprising defining multiple shapes using said set of points of a geospatial tag.

35. The method of claim 34 wherein said set of points further comprises a shape sub-element and a break sub-element, said shape sub-element defining a first shape for a first subset of points of said set of points such that said first shape is delineated by said first subset of points, said break sub-element indicating an end to a preceding shape and a start to a succeeding shape.

36. The method of claim 1 wherein said geospatial tag is included within said electronic file in a header portion of said electronic file.

37. The method of claim 1 wherein said geospatial tag is a geospatial tag file, said geospatial tag file being a separate file from said electronic file, and said geospatial tag file is linked with said electronic file.

38. The method of claim 37 wherein said geospatial tag file is linked to said electronic file by a matching base file name for said geospatial tag file and said electronic file, but using a geospatial tag file extension name for said geospatial tag file which is different from a file extension name of said electronic file.

39. The method of claim 1 wherein said geospatial tag is stored in a geospatial tag list, said geospatial tag list being a list structure that stores a file name of said electronic file that is linked with said geospatial tag.

40. The method of claim 39 wherein said geospatial tag links said geospatial tag and said electronic file by storing said geospatial tag and said file name of said electronic file in a single entry in said geospatial tag list.

41. The method of claim 39 wherein said geospatial tag list is contained in a database.

42. The method of claim 41 wherein said geospatial tag is stored in a first database entry and said file name of said electronic file is stored in a second database entry, and said first database entry and said second database entry are linked via relationship functionality of said database.

43. A search engine that searches electronic files comprising:

a geospatial location subsystem that obtains geospatial location data relating to a location of interest and converts said geospatial location data relating to said location of interest into a range of geospatial coordinate search points;

a search subsystem that searches geospatial tags linked with said electronic files for said range geospatial coordinate search points and identifies found electronic files, said found electronic files being a subset of said electronic files, wherein said geospatial tags linked to said electronic files contain at least one geospatial coordinate search point of said range of geospatial coordinate search points, each of said geospatial tags delineating geospatial shape data associated with each of said electronic files using at least two elements, a shape element and a geospatial coordinate element, said shape element defining said shape of said geospatial shape data, and said geospatial coordinate element defining said geospatial coordinates of said geospatial shape data; and

a retrieval and delivery subsystem that retrieves said found electronic files and delivers said found electronic files to a user.

44. The search engine of claim 43 wherein said range of geospatial coordinate search points comprises a single geospatial coordinate search point.

45. The search engine of claim 43 further comprising a storing subsystem that stores said found electronic files on an archival data storage system.

46. The search engine of claim 43 further comprising moving subsystem that moves said found electronic files to a desired electronic storage location from an original delivery location.

47. The search engine of claim 43 further comprising a sorting subsystem that sorts said found electronic files based on elements of said geospatial tags associated with each of said found electronic files.

48. The search engine of claim 47 wherein said elements of said geospatial tags used for sorting said electronic files are comprised of at least one of:

size of an area defined by said geospatial tags, date and time defined by said geospatial tags, height defined by said geospatial tags, and type of shape of said geospatial tags.

49. The search engine of claim 43 wherein said geospatial location data is comprised of at least one of the group consisting of:

a street address;

latitude and longitude coordinates;

Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) coordinates;

county;

postal code;

parcel;

tract, lot and block; and

township, range and section.

50. The search engine of claim 43 wherein said geospatial location data is obtained from manual entry by a user of said geospatial location data.

51. The search engine of claim 43 wherein said geospatial location data is obtained by converting a shape drawn on a digital map by a user with a drawing tool into said geospatial location data.

52. The search engine of claim 43 wherein said geospatial location data is obtained by converting metes and bounds data entered by a user with a metes and bounds tool into said geospatial location data.

53. The search engine of claim 43 wherein said geospatial location data is obtained by converting latitude and longitude data entered by a user with a table of latitude and longitudes tool into said geospatial location data.

54. The search engine of claim 43 wherein said geospatial location data is obtained by converting Global Positioning System (GPS) data entered by a user with a GPS field entry tool into said geospatial location data.

55. The search engine of claim 43 wherein said geospatial location data is obtained by converting a shape drawn on a digital image by a user with a drawing tool into said geospatial location data.

56. The search engine of claim 43 wherein said retrieval and delivery subsystem delivers said found electronic files in a format comprising at least one of the group consisting of:

a list of said found electronic files, copies of said found electronic files, and said found electronic files opened on a land web site.

57. The search engine of claim 43 wherein said electronic file is comprised of at least one of the group consisting of:

e-documents, digital images, digital photos, and digital maps.

58. The search engine of claim 57 wherein said e-documents is comprised of at least one of the group consisting of:

Contract and Pre-closing Documents, Letter of Intent, Contract to Buy and Sell Real Estate, Agreement to Amend/Extend, Contract Assignment, Contract Addenda, Lead-Based Paint Disclosure, Inspection Notice, Brokerage Disclosure, Seller'"'"'s Property Disclosure, Counterproposal, Earnest Money Promissory Note, Conveyance Documents, General/Special Warranty Deeds, Quit Claim Deeds, Bill of Sale, Water Stock Assignments, Mineral Deed, Water Tap Transfers, Well Permit Transfer, Loan Documents, Deed of Trust, Promissory Note, UCC Financing Statements, Security Agreement, Credit Report, Title and Survey Documents, Title Insurance Commitment, ALTA/ACSM Land Title Survey, Tax Certificate, Closing Instructions, Statement of Settlement, Real Property Transfer Declaration, Forms DR-1083, Agreement for Taxes, Utility Agreement, Closing Confirmation for 1099 Reporting, Title Insurance Owner'"'"'s Policy, Title Insurance Lender'"'"'s Policy, Organization and Authority Documents, Articles of Organization, By-Laws, Operating Agreement, Certificate of Good Standing, Resolutions/Unanimous Consents, Power of Attorney (Real Estate) Documents, Due Diligence Documents, Architectural Drawings, As-Built Building Plans, Building Inspection, Compliance Checks, Constraints Analysis, Construction Design Documents, Endangered Species Reports, Existing Deed of Trust, Geology Studies, Guarantees/Warrantees, Hydrology Studies, Land Plans, Leases, Market Feasibility Studies, Mining Reports, Oil and Gas Leases, Permits and Licenses, Personal Property Inventory, Phase 1 Environmental Studies, Phase 2 Environmental Studies, Property Insurance, Service and Maintenance Contracts, Sketch Plans, Soils Reports, Traffic Studies, Utilities, Wetlands Studies, Wildlife Studies, Zoning Maps, and Zoning Regulations.

59. The search engine of claim 43 wherein said shape element comprises at least one of the group consisting of:

point, line, open arc, polygon, oval, circle, and closed arc.

60. The search engine of claim 43 wherein said geospatial coordinate element comprises a set of points, said set of points combining with said shape element to define an extent of said geospatial location.

61. The search engine of claim 60 wherein each of said range of geospatial coordinate search points and each of said set of points are comprised of an x coordinate and a y coordinate as defined by a geographic coordinate system.

62. The search engine of claim 61 wherein said geographic coordinate system comprises at least one of the group consisting of:

latitude/longitude coordinates, and Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) coordinates.

63. The search engine of claim 60 wherein each of said range of geospatial coordinate search points and each point of said set of points are comprised of a latitude coordinate value and a longitude coordinate value.

64. The search engine of claim 63 wherein each of said range of geospatial coordinate search points and each of said set of points further comprise a height value.

65. The search engine of claim 64 wherein said height value is measured using a measurement unit comprised of at least one of the group consisting of:

meters, kilometers, feet, yards, and miles.

66. The method of claim 64 wherein said extent of said geospatial location comprises a three dimensional volume.

67. The search engine of claim 60 wherein each of said range of geospatial coordinate search points and each of said set of points further comprise a date and time value.

68. The search engine of claim 60 wherein said set of points define a point shape such that said set of points comprises a single point delineating said point shape.

69. The search engine of claim 60 wherein said set of points define a line shape such that said set of points comprises two points, a start point delineating a start of said line shape and an end point delineating an end of said line shape, wherein said extent of said geospatial location comprises a range of geospatial points delineating said line shape.

70. The search engine of claim 69 further comprising a set of additional points comprised of at least one additional point, wherein said set of additional points delineates a corner of said line shape such that said line starts at said start point and is straight line connected to each of said additional points in order, and said line ends when a last point of said additional points is straight line connected to said end point of said line shape.

71. The search engine of claim 60 wherein said set of points define an open arc shape such that said set of points comprises a center point delineating a center of an oval containing said open arc shape, a start point being a first point on said oval where said open arc shape begins and an end point being a second point on said oval where said open arc shape ends, and a curving boundary line drawn following a path on said circle between said start point and said end point of said open arc shape, wherein said extent of said geospatial location comprises a range of geospatial points delineating said open arc shape.

72. The search engine of claim 60 wherein said set of points define a polygon shape such that said set of points comprises a start point of said polygon shape, an end point of said polygon shape, and a set of additional points comprising at least one additional point of said polygon shape, said start point of said polygon shape being straight line connected to a first point of said additional points, each of said additional points straight lined connected to a next point of said additional points until a last point of said additional points is reached, said last point of said additional points being straight line connected to said end point of said polygon shape, and said end point closing said polygon shape by being straight line connected to said start point of said polygon shape, wherein said extent of said geospatial location comprises a range of geospatial points delineating and contained within said polygon shape.

73. The search engine of claim 60 wherein said set of points define an oval shape such that said set of points comprises a center point of said oval shape, a first point on said oval shape, and a second point on said oval shape, said oval shape drawn such that both said first point and said second point appear on said oval shape and said center point is located at a center of said oval shape, wherein said extent of said geospatial location comprises a range of geospatial points delineating and contained within said oval shape.

74. The search engine of claim 60 wherein said set of points, wherein said extent of said geospatial location comprises a range of geospatial points delineating and contained within said circle shape such that said set of points comprises a center point of said circle shape and a perimeter point located on said circle shape, said circle shape drawn such that said perimeter point appears on said circle shape and said center point is located at a center of said circle shape.

75. The search engine of claim 60 wherein said set of points define a closed arc shape such that said set of points comprises a center point delineating a center of an oval containing said closed arc shape, a start point being a first point on said oval where said closed arc shape begins and an end point being a second point on said oval where said closed arc shape ends, a curving boundary line drawn following a path on said circle between said start point and said end point of said closed arc shape, a first straight line drawn from said start point to said center point, and a second straight line drawn from said end point to said center point closing said closed arc shape, wherein said extent of said geospatial location comprises a range of geospatial points delineating and contained within said closed arc shape.

76. The software application of claim 43 wherein said geospatial tag defines multiple shapes defining multiple shapes using said set of points of a geospatial tag

77. The software application of claim 76 wherein said set of points further comprises a shape sub-element and a break sub-element, said shape sub-element defining a first shape for a first subset of points of said set of points such that said first shape is delineated by said first subset of points, said break sub-element indicating an end to a preceding shape and a start to a succeeding shape.

78. The search engine of claim 43 wherein said geospatial tag is included within said electronic file in a header portion of said electronic file.

79. The search engine of claim 43 wherein said geospatial tag is a geospatial tag file, said geospatial tag file being a separate file from said electronic file, and said geospatial tag file is linked with said electronic file.

80. The search engine of claim 79 wherein said geospatial tag file is linked to said electronic file by a matching base file name for said geospatial tag file and said electronic file, but using a geospatial tag file extension name for said geospatial tag file which is different from a file extension name of said electronic file.

81. The search engine of claim 43 wherein said geospatial tag is stored in a geospatial tag list, said geospatial tag list being a list structure that stores a file name of said electronic file that is linked with said geospatial tag.

82. The search engine of claim 81 wherein said geospatial tag links said geospatial tag and said electronic file by storing said geospatial tag and said file name of said electronic file in a single entry in said geospatial tag list.

83. The search engine of claim 81 wherein said geospatial tag list is contained in a database.

84. The search engine of claim 83 wherein said geospatial tag is stored in a first database entry and said file name of said electronic file is stored in a second database entry, and said first database entry and said second database entry are linked via relationship functionality of said database.

85. A search engine that searches electronic files comprising:

means for obtaining geospatial location data relating to a location of interest;

means for converting said geospatial location data into a range of geospatial coordinate search points;

means for searching geospatial tags linked with said electronic files for said range of geospatial coordinate search points;

means for identifying found electronic files;

means for retrieving said found electronic files; and

means for delivering said found electronic files to a user.