Method and apparatus for providing location based data services

• US 6,611,751 B2
• Filed: 03/23/2001
• Issued: 08/26/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: 981455 Alberta Limited
• Original Assignee: 981455 Alberta Limited
• Inventors: Warren, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Beaulieu, Yonel
• Application Number:
  US09/814,754
• Publication Number:
  US 20020143462A1
• Time in Patent Office: 886 Days
• Field of Search: 701/200, 701/207, 701/208, 701/214, 340/988, 340/990, 340/995, 342/357.09, 342/357.12, 342/450
• US Class Current: 701/200
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/29 Geographical information databases

Abstract

A method and system for providing location based data services. The present invention relates generally to a method and system for generating, storing, manipulating and displaying location-based data and more particularly relates to a method and system for using a unique identifier of spatial location to enable a database to become “location smart”. The unique identifier comprises an identifier of location such as latitude and longitude as well as one other item of data such as a time-stamp or a sequence number. The unique identifier is used as a key in a database system and can be used to facilitate spatial analysis of data or to provide geographic context to data. The present invention also provides systems and methods that operate in mobile and wireless environments. The present invention allows end users to perform the functions of geographic information systems without having to provide sensitive data to GIS service providers or having to learn to use sophisticated GIS systems.

Claims

1. A method for generating a unique key comprising:

a. receiving an indication of location;

b. determining a latitude-longitude value corresponding to the received indication of location;

c. generating at least one other piece of data in addition to the latitude-longitude value; and

,

d. combining the determined latitude-longitude value and the at least one other piece of data to generate the unique key.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the indication of location is at least one of an addressable location, a geographic area, a physical location or an abstract location.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the addressable location is civic address.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein the geographic area is at least one of a boundary of a geographic region, a street, or a building.

5. The method of claim 2 wherein the abstract location is at least one of an event, or a meeting.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one other piece of data is at least one of a time or a sequence number.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the time is at least one of a time that the latitude-longitude determination was made, a time when the request for the unique key was received or a time determined at a consistent time within the steps of the method.

8. A system for generating a unique key for use in a database system comprising:

a. means for receiving an indication of location;

b. means for determining a latitude-longitude value corresponding to the received indication of location;

c. means for generating at least one other piece of data in addition to the latitude-longitude value; and

,

d. means for combining the determined latitude-longitude value and the at least one other piece of data to generate the unique key.

9. A method for processing a location sensitive search request for a specified geographic area comprising:

a. receiving a location sensitive search request having a location information component;

b. parsing the location information component into a format that is used by a location database;

c. querying the location database with the parsed location information component for records that satisfy the location sensitive search request;

d. generating search results from the location database that satisfy the location sensitive search request; and

,

e. transmitting the search results.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the search results are in a non-graphic format.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the non-graphic format is a text list or table of abstract locations.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein the search results are in a graphic format.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the graphic format is a map of the geographic area of interest.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the map is comprised of a base map and at least one icon.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the at least one icon represents a real world location of an instance of the search results.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein at least one of a colour or a shape of the at least one icon identifies a category of location sensitive information.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein the at least one icon is linked to further information corresponding to the search results.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the further information corresponding to the search results comprises at least one of a text, a graphic, a link to information stored on another computer connected to the same network or instructions to execute a computer application.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein the computer network user clicks on the icon to obtain the further information corresponding to the search results.

20. A system for processing a location sensitive search request for a specified geographic area comprising:

a. means for receiving a location sensitive search request having a location information component;

b. means for parsing the location information component into a format that is used by a location database;

c. means for querying the location database with the parsed location information component for records that satisfy the location sensitive search request;

d. means for generating search results from the location database that satisfy the location sensitive search request; and

,

e. means for transmitting the search results.

21. A method for generating a unique key and processing a location sensitive search request with a static location as a reference point comprising:

a. receiving an indication of the location of a static reference point and a location sensitive search request;

b. determining a latitude-longitude value corresponding to the received indication of location of the static reference point;

c. generating at least one other piece of data in addition to the latitude-longitude value;

d. combining the determined latitude-longitude value and the at least one other piece of data to generate the unique key;

e. querying a location database with the unique key as a reference point, for records that satisfy the location sensitive search request;

f. generating search results; and

,

g. transmitting the search results.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein the indication of location is at least one of an addressable location, a geographic area, a physical location or an abstract location.

23. The method of claim 21 wherein the at least one other piece of data is at least one of a time or a sequence number.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein the time is at least one of a time that the latitude-longitude determination was made, a time when the request for the unique key was received or a time determined at a consistent time within the steps of the method.

25. The method of claim 21 wherein the search results includes the unique key.

26. The method of claim 21 wherein the search results are in a non-graphic format.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein the non-graphic format is a text or a table of abstract locations.

28. The method of claim 21 wherein the search results are in a graphic format.

29. The method of claim 28 wherein the graphic format is a map of the geographic area of interest.

30. The method of claim 29 wherein the map is comprised of a base map and at least one icon.

31. The method of claim 30 wherein the at least one icon represents a real world location of an instance of the search result.

32. The method of claim 30 wherein at least one of a colour or a shape of the at least one icon identifies a category of location sensitive information.

33. The method of claim 30 wherein the at least one icon is linked to further information corresponding to the search results.

34. The method of claim 33 wherein the further information corresponding to the search results comprises at least one of a text, a graphic, a link to information on another computer connected to the same network or a set of instructions for a computer application.

35. The method of claim 34 wherein a computer network user clicks on the icon to obtain the further information corresponding to the search results.

36. A system for generating a unique key and processing a location sensitive search request with a static location as a reference point consisting of a:

a. means for receiving an indication of the location of a static reference point and a location sensitive search request;

b. means for determining a latitude-longitude value corresponding to the received indication of location of the static reference point;

c. means for generating at least one other piece of data in addition to the latitude-longitude value;

d. means for combining the determined latitude-longitude value and the at least one other piece of data to generate the unique key;

e. means for querying a location database, with the unique key as a reference point for records that satisfy the location sensitive search request;

f. means for generating search results; and

,

g. means for transmitting the search results.

37. A method for generating a unique key and processing a location sensitive search request with a mobile location as a reference point comprising the steps of:

a. receiving positioning information and a location sensitive search request;

b. determining a nearest static location that corresponds to the positioning information;

c. determining a latitude-longitude value corresponding to the nearest address;

d. generating at least one other piece of data in addition to the latitude-longitude value;

e. combining the determined latitude-longitude value and the at least one other piece of data to generate the unique key;

f. querying a location database for records that satisfy the location Sensitive search request;

g. generating search results that satisfy the location sensitive search request; and

,

h. transmitting the search results.

38. A system for generating a unique key and processing a location sensitive search request with a mobile location as a reference point comprising:

a. means for receiving positioning information and a location sensitive search request;

b. means for determining a nearest static location that corresponds to the positioning information;

c. means for determining a latitude-longitude value corresponding to the nearest address;

d. means for generating at least one other piece of data in addition to the latitude-longitude value;

e. means for combining the determined latitude-longitude value and the at least one other piece of data to generate the unique key;

f. means for querying a location database for records that satisfy the location sensitive search request;

g. means for generating search results that satisfy the location sensitive search request; and

,

h. means for transmitting the search results.

39. A method for processing a location sensitive search request from a device for which a unique key, which acts as a reference point for the search, has been assigned already comprising:

a. receiving a unique key and a location sensitive search request;

b. querying a location database, with the unique key as a reference point, for records that satisfy the location sensitive search request;

c. generating search results; and

,

d. transmitting the search results.

40. A system for processing a location sensitive search request from a device for which a unique key, which acts as a reference point for the search, has been assigned already comprising:

a. means for receiving a unique key and a location sensitive search request

b. means for querying a location database, with the unique key as a reference point for records that satisfy the location sensitive search request;

c. means for generating search results; and

,

d. means for transmitting search results.

41. A method for conducting a location sensitive search comprising:

a. generating a location sensitive search request;

b. submitting the location sensitive search request to a location database server;

c. receiving a search result from the location database server; and

,

d. displaying the search result.

42. The method of claim 41 wherein the search result is an error message comprising at least one of a list of suggestions for correcting the error or a list of alternative indications of location for which a unique key may be generated.

43. A system for conducting a location sensitive search comprising:

a. means for generating a location sensitive search request;

b. means for submitting the location sensitive search request to a location database server;

c. means for receiving a search result from the location database server; and

,

d. means for displaying the search result.

44. A method for conducting a location sensitive search from a static location as a point of reference comprising:

a. generating a location sensitive search request;

b. generating an indication of a static location that acts as a reference point for the location sensitive search request;

c. submitting the location sensitive search request and the indication of the static location to a location database server;

d. receiving a search result of the location sensitive search request from the location database server; and

,

e. displaying the search result.

45. A system for conducting a location sensitive search from a static location as a point of reference comprising:

a. means for generating a location sensitive search request;

b. means for generating an indication of a static location that acts as a reference point for the location sensitive search request;

c. means for submitting the location sensitive search request and the indication of the static location to a location database server;

d. means for receiving a unique key corresponding to at least one of the indication of static location or a search result of the location sensitive search request to the location database server; and

,

e. means for displaying at least one of the search results or the relative location of the unique key.

46. A method for conducting a location sensitive search from a mobile location of a wireless device as a point of reference comprising:

a. generating a location sensitive search request;

b. generating positioning information of the wireless device;

c. submitting the location sensitive search request and the positioning information of the wireless device to a location database server;

d. receiving a search result; and

,

e. displaying the search result.

47. The system of claim 46 wherein the positioning information is obtained by employing a positioning technology by which the location of a wireless device can be detected.

48. A system conducting a location sensitive search from a mobile location of a wireless device as a point of reference comprising:

a. means for generating a location sensitive search request;

b. means for generating positioning information of the wireless device;

c. means for submitting the location sensitive search request and the positioning information of the wireless device to a location database server;

d. means for receiving a search result; and

,

e. means for displaying the search result.

49. A method for creating location sensitive data and transmitting it to a location database server comprising:

a. generating information relating to at least one of an item, a service, an event of interest or an instance of location sensitive information;

b. generating an indication of location for the at least one of an item, a service, an event of interest or an instance of location sensitive information;

c. transmitting the information and the indication of location to a database server; and

,

d. receiving a response from the location database server.

50. The method of claim 49 wherein the response from the location database server is a confirmation message.

51. The method of claim 50 wherein the response from the location database server is a unique key that corresponds to the information and the indication of location to a database server.

52. The method of claim 50 wherein the response from the location database server is an error message comprising at least one of a list of suggestions for correcting the error or a list of alternative indications of location for the generation of the unique key.

53. A system for creating location sensitive data and transmitting it to a location database server comprising:

a. means for generating information relating to at least one of an item, a service, an event of interest or an instance of location sensitive information;

b. means for generating an indication of location for the information; and

,

c. means for transmitting the information and the indication of location to a database server.

54. A method for creating location sensitive data that is stored in a location other than a location database server comprising:

a. generating information relating to at least one of an item, a service or an event of interest;

b. generating an indication of location for the information;

c. submitting the indication of location to a location database;

d. receiving a response from the location database server, wherein the response comprises a unique key that corresponds to the submitted indication of location;

e. associating the unique key with location sensitive data; and

,

f. creating a data base entry comprising the associated unique key and the location sensitive data.

55. A system for creating location sensitive data that is stored in a location other than a location database server consisting of a:

a. means for generating information relating to an item, a service or an event of interest;

b. means for generating an indication of location for the information;

c. means for submitting the indication of location to a location database;

d. means for receiving a unique key that corresponds to the submitted indication of location;

e. means for associating the unique key with location sensitive data; and

,

f. means for creating a data base entry comprising the associated unique key and the location sensitive data.

56. A method for receiving and storing location sensitive data for which a unique key exists comprising:

a. receiving location sensitive data relating to at least one of an item, a service, an event of interest or an instance of location sensitive data

b. receiving an indication of the location of said location sensitive data;

c. parsing the indication of location into a format used by a location database;

d. determining if a valid unique key has been generated from the parsed indication of location;

e. querying the location database for the existence of a unique key for the parsed indication of location;

f. combining the unique key with the location sensitive data; and

,

g. creating a database entry comprising the combined unique key and the location sensitive data.

57. The method of claim 56 wherein the database entry is stored in persistent memory.

58. A system for receiving and storing location sensitive data for which a unique key exists comprising:

a. means for receiving location sensitive data relating to at least one of an item, a service, an event of interest or an instance of location sensitive data;

b. means for receiving an indication of the location of said location sensitive data;

c. means for parsing the indication of location into a format used by a location database;

d. means for determining if a valid unique key has been generated from the parsed indication of location;

e. means for querying the location database for the existence of a unique key for the parsed indication of location;

f. means for combining the unique key with the location sensitive data; and

,

g. means for generating a database entry for the combined unique key and location sensitive data.

59. The method of claim 58 wherein the database entry is stored in persistent memory.

60. A method for receiving and storing location sensitive data for which a unique key does not exist comprising:

a. receiving location sensitive data relating to at least one of an item, a service, an event of interest or an instance of location sensitive data;

b. receiving an indication of the location of said location sensitive data;

c. parsing the indication of location into a format used by a location database;

d. determining if a unique key may be generated for the parsed indication of location;

e. querying the location database for the existence of a unique key for the parsed indication of location;

f. determining a latitude-longitude value corresponding to the received indication of location;

g. generating at least one other piece of data in addition to the latitude-longitude value;

h. combining the determined latitude-longitude value and the at least one other piece of data to form a unique key;

i. combining the unique key with the location sensitive data; and

,

j. creating a database entry for the combined unique key and location sensitive data.

61. An apparatus for searching for location sensitive data comprising:

a. a database having records;

b. at least one record having a unique key, said unique key comprising a unique identifier of location and one other piece of data;

c. a database query engine which queries the database; and

,

d. an output generator that transmits a response corresponding to the search query.

62. An apparatus for generating a unique key comprising:

a. a database having records;

b. at least one record having a unique key, said unique key comprising a unique identifier of location and one other piece of data;

c. a database query engine that queries the database; and

,

d. an address translator engine that receives a request for an instance of the unique key, translates the indication of location and returns the unique key.

63. A computer program product, comprising:

a memory having computer-readable code embodied therein for generating a unique key comprising;

a. code means for receiving an indication of location;

b. code means for determining a latitude-longitude value corresponding to the received indication of location;

c. code means for generating at least one other piece of data in addition to the latitude-longitude value; and

,

d. code means for combining the determined latitude-longitude value and the at least one other piece of data to form a unique key.

64. A computer program product, comprising:

a memory having computer-readable code embodied therein for conducting a location sensitive search comprising;

a. code means for generating a location sensitive search request;

b. code means for submitting the location sensitive search request to a location database server;

c. code means for receiving a search result from the location database server; and

,

d. code means for displaying the search result.