Method and apparatus for distributing and displaying maps electronically

• US 6,724,382 B2
• Filed: 01/23/2001
• Issued: 04/20/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: WildTangent Incorporated (Samarion SE)
• Inventors: Law, Mark N., Kenyon, Jeremy A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jankus, Almis R.
• Application Number:
  US09/768,935
• Publication Number:
  US 20020067353A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,183 Days
• Field of Search: 345/419, 345/672, 345/676, 345/682, 345/684, 345/686, 345/687, 345/712, 345/738, 345/739, 345/749, 345/838
• US Class Current: 345/419
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/29 Geographical information databases
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 17/05 Geographic models

Abstract

A method and apparatus for distributing and displaying maps is disclosed. The method involves delivery of maps that are not dynamically generated. The area serviced by a map server is divided into fixed zones for which there are static map tiles. When a map is requested by a user, the location of interest is sent to the server by the user via the users client. The server determines which of a plurality of preexisting map tiles contained the location of interest submitted by the client. A central map tile, from this plurality of preexisting maps, containing the location of interest is sent to the client from the map server. The server may also send preexisting map tiles of the zones immediately adjacent to the zone represented in the central map tile. The server may also support a “mini-map” to facilitate user panning of the “greater area”, and points of interest, including multi-media descriptions of the points of interest.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving a requested location;

selecting, based on the requested location, a first pre-existing map tile and its corresponding miniaturized representation from a plurality of preexisting map tiles and their corresponding miniaturized representations, the first pre-existing map tile containing a representation of an area that comprises the requested location;

selecting further a first set of adjacent map tiles and their corresponding miniaturized representations from the plurality of preexisting map tiles and their corresponding miniaturized representations, the first set of adjacent map tiles containing representations of areas immediately adjacent to the area represented by the first map tile;

sending the selected first map tile, the miniaturized representation of the first map tile, the first set of adjacent map tiles, and the miniaturized representations of the first set of adjacent map tiles; and

sending processing logic to form a mini map and a visibility area demarcation within the mini map, using said miniaturized representations of the map tiles, the visibility area demarcation denoting an area within the mini map corresponding to the area represented by the first map tile.

2. A method comprising:

receiving a requested location;

selecting, based on the requested location, a first pre-existing map tile and its corresponding miniaturized representation from a plurality of preexisting map tiles and their corresponding miniaturized representations, the first pre-existing map tile containing a representation of an area that comprises the requested location;

selecting further a first set of adjacent map tiles and their correspondinq miniaturized representations from the plurality of preexisting map tiles and their corresponding miniaturized representations, the first set of adjacent map tiles containing representations of areas immediately adjacent to the area represented by the first map tile;

sending the selected first map tile, the miniaturized representation of the first map tile, the first set of adjacent map tiles, and the miniaturized representations of the first set of adjacent map tiles;

selecting a second set of adjacent map tiles and their corresponding miniaturized representations from the plurality of preexisting map tiles and their corresponding miniaturized representations, the second set of adjacent map tiles containing representations of areas immediately adjacent to the area represented by the first set of adjacent map tiles; and

sending the second set of adjacent map tiles and their corresponding miniaturized representations.

3. An apparatus comprising:

a storage medium having stored therein a plurality of executable instructions,

wherein when executed, the instructions operate the apparatus to receive a requested location,

select, based on the requested location, a first pre-existing map tile and its corresponding miniaturized representation from a plurality of preexisting map tiles and their corresponding miniaturized representations, the first pre-existing map tile containing a representation of an area that comprises the requested location,

select further a first set of adjacent map tiles and their corresponding miniaturized representations from the plurality of preexisting map tiles and their corresponding miniaturized representations, the first set of adjacent map tiles containing representations of areas immediately adjacent to the area represented by the first map tile,

send the selected first map tile, the miniaturized representation of the first map tile, the first set of adjacent map tiles, and the miniaturized representations of the first set of adjacent map tiles;

select a second set of adjacent map tiles and their miniaturized representations from the plurality of preexisting map tiles and their miniaturized representations, the second set of adjacent map tiles containing representations of areas immediately adjacent to the areas represented by the first set of adjacent map tiles, and

send the second set of adjacent map tiles and their corresponding miniaturized representations; and

at least one processor coupled to the storage medium to execute the instructions.