Method of preparing and disseminating digitized geospatial data

• US 6,421,610 B1
• Filed: 09/15/2000
• Issued: 07/16/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Carroll, Ernest A., Christopher M. Gardner
• Original Assignee: Carroll, Ernest A., Christopher M. Gardner
• Inventors: Carroll, Ernest A., Gardner, Christopher M.
• Primary Examiner(s): McElheny, Jr., Donald E.
• Application Number:
  US09/662,903
• Time in Patent Office: 669 Days
• Field of Search: 702/5, 702/2
• US Class Current: 702/5
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/29 Geographical information databases
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/58 Retrieval characterised by using metadata, e.g. metadata not derived from the content or metadata generated manually

Abstract

A method of making geospatial imagery data available to the public over the internet. Geospatial images are acquired, such as by aerial photography, and are digitized. Plural images are captured, each image covering a portion of the earth surface area of interest. Each image captures at least one characteristic of the portion of the area, such as by taking images in different frequency bands. Data from all images thus obtained is loaded into a common database, loaded into a computer, and integrated to create a single resultant geospatial image stored in the computer. The integration process is performed so that a nearly seamless mosaiced image covering the entire area of interest is generated. The mosaiced image is stored in mosaic sector form. The computer containing the resultant geospatial image and software controlling the same are connected to the internet so that internet users have access to the data. The users can select portions of the resultant image and select characteristics, and have corresponding data transmitted over the internet and downloaded to a personal computer, facsimile machine, or the like. Alternatively, the software has options enabling users to order the data on a hard storage device such as a compact disc, or to have the host computer operate a printer to generate a hard paper copy of the selected data.

Claims

1. A method of acquiring geospatial data and disseminating the geospatial data automatically and in a final useful form, comprising the steps of:

acquiring first digital data corresponding to a geospatial image of a first portion of a selected earth surface area, which first portion is less than the entire selected earth surface area, and wherein the first digital data captures at least a first characteristic of the selected earth surface area;

acquiring second digital data corresponding to a geospatial image of the first portion of the selected earth surface area, wherein the second digital data captures at least a second characteristic of the selected earth surface area, which second characteristic is different from the first characteristic;

acquiring third digital data corresponding to a geospatial image of a second portion of the selected earth surface area, which second portion is different from the first portion of the selected earth surface area and which second portion is less than the entire selected earth surface area, and wherein the third digital data captures at least the first characteristic of the selected earth surface area;

acquiring fourth digital data corresponding to a geospatial image of the selected earth surface area, wherein the fourth digital data geospatial image corresponds to the second portion of the selected earth surface area, and the fourth digital data captures at least the second characteristic of the selected earth surface area;

providing a data processing device capable of processing digitized data, having a memory device capable of storing digitized data, and having control elements disposed to generate commands which operate the data processing device;

integrating the first digital data, the second digital data, the third digital data, and the fourth digital data into a common database and storing the common database within the data processing device, wherein the common database contains data corresponding to a resultant final geospatial image covering the first-portion and the second portion of the selected earth surface area such that

boundaries and features of the first portion align with boundaries and features of the second portion in aligned, continuous, nearly seamless manner, and

the final geospatial image reflects both the first characteristic of the selected earth surface area and the second characteristic of the selected earth surface area;

providing and installing within the data processing device software which enables a user to use manual cursor control methods to manipulate data stored in the data processing device to

display the final geospatial image on a display device,

designate a portion of the final geospatial image for reproduction, and

reproduce the designated portion of the final geospatial image; and

placing the data processing device and data and software stored therein in operable communication with the internet.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said step of integrating the first digital data, the second digital data, the third digital data, and the fourth digital data into a common database and storing the common database within the data processing device comprises the further steps of

dividing the final geospatial image into non-overlapping, complementing sectors, and

storing each sector as a separate file.

3. The method according to claim 1, comprising the further step of reproducing the designated portion of the final geospatial image responsive to computer commands generated remotely and transmitted by the internet.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein said step of reproducing the designated portion of the final geospatial image comprises a further step of transmitting data by file transfer protocol over the internet.

5. The method according to claim 3, wherein said step of reproducing the designated portion of the final geospatial image comprises a further step of downloading data corresponding to the designated portion of the final geospatial image onto a data storage device dimensioned and configured to be readily and manually insertable into and removable from a computer.

6. The method according to claim 3, wherein said step of reproducing the designated portion of the final geospatial image comprises the further steps of

providing a printer operably connected to the computer;

and

printing the designated portion of the final geospatial image onto paper, utilizing the printer.

7. A method of acquiring geospatial data and disseminating the geospatial data automatically and in a final useful form, comprising the steps of:

acquiring first digital data corresponding to a geospatial image of a first portion of a selected earth surface area, which first portion is less than the entire selected earth surface area, and wherein the first digital data captures at least a first characteristic of the selected earth surface area;

acquiring second digital data corresponding to a geospatial image of the first portion of the selected earth surface area, wherein the second digital data captures at least a second characteristic of the selected earth surface area, which second characteristic is different from the first characteristic;

acquiring third digital data corresponding to a geospatial image of a second portion of the selected earth surface area, which second portion is different from the first portion of the selected earth surface area and which second portion is less than the entire selected earth surface area, and wherein the third digital data captures at least the first characteristic of the selected earth surface area;

acquiring fourth digital data corresponding to a geospatial image of the selected earth surface area, wherein the fourth digital data geospatial image corresponds to the second portion of the selected earth surface area, and the fourth digital data captures at least the second characteristic of the selected earth surface area;

providing a data processing device capable of processing digitized data, having a memory device capable of storing digitized data, and having control elements disposed to generate commands which operate the data processing device;

integrating the first digital data, the second digital data, the third digital data, and the fourth digital data into a common database and storing the common database within the data processing device, wherein the common database contains data corresponding to a resultant final geospatial image covering the first portion and the second portion of the selected earth surface area such that

boundaries and features of the first portion align with boundaries and features of the second portion in aligned, continuous, nearly seamless manner, and

the final geospatial image reflects both the first characteristic of the selected earth surface area and the second characteristic of the selected earth surface area;

dividing the final geospatial image into non-overlapping, complementing sectors, and storing each sector as a separate file;

providing and installing within the data processing device software which enables a user to use manual cursor control methods to manipulate data stored in the data processing device to

display the final geospatial image on a display device,

designate a portion of the final geospatial image for reproduction, and

reproduce the designated portion of the final geospatial image;

placing the data processing device and data and software stored therein in operable communication with the internet;

transmitting data corresponding to the designated portion of the final geospatial image by file transfer protocol over the internet, responsive to computer commands generated remotely and transmitted by the internet.