Vector-based geographic data
First Claim
1. A method of viewing map data in a computer-implemented geographic information system, comprising the steps of:
- retrieving a map window file from a data storage device coupled to a computer, the map window file containing map definition information that identifies vector-based map data used to generate a map picture, the vector-based map data being comprised of primitives that define map objects, each map object defining one or more components of the map picture;
generating an initial map picture with vector-based map data identified by the map definition information;
displaying the generated initial map picture on a display device coupled to a computer;
receiving a request for additional information for the displayed initial map picture;
determining a location of the vector-based map data required to satisfy the received request by obtaining map definition information from the map window file;
retrieving the additional vector-based map data from a data storage device on a computer;
generating a new map picture based on the retrieved vector-based map data; and
displaying the generated new map picture on the display device coupled to a computer.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention discloses a method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for a computer implemented geographic information system that enables viewing a map picture that is generated from vector-based data. Map pictures can be generated with vector-based data. Map pictures created with vector-based data can be viewed. Additionally, map pictures are comprised of map objects, such as states and cities. Map objects can be chosen to obtain additional information, for example, a different map picture. Additionally, areas of the map picture can be zoomed in on to view the areas with greater resolution or to obtain additional data about the areas. Furthermore, when a user requests to view a map picture, only the map data required to respond to the user'"'"'s request is downloaded to generate a map picture. As a user makes additional requests for information, additional map data is downloaded and new map pictures generated.
31 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method of viewing map data in a computer-implemented geographic information system, comprising the steps of:
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retrieving a map window file from a data storage device coupled to a computer, the map window file containing map definition information that identifies vector-based map data used to generate a map picture, the vector-based map data being comprised of primitives that define map objects, each map object defining one or more components of the map picture;
generating an initial map picture with vector-based map data identified by the map definition information;
displaying the generated initial map picture on a display device coupled to a computer;
receiving a request for additional information for the displayed initial map picture;
determining a location of the vector-based map data required to satisfy the received request by obtaining map definition information from the map window file;
retrieving the additional vector-based map data from a data storage device on a computer;
generating a new map picture based on the retrieved vector-based map data; and
displaying the generated new map picture on the display device coupled to a computer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An apparatus for viewing map data in a computer-implemented geographic information system via a network, comprising:
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means for retrieving a map window file from a data storage device coupled to a computer, the map window file containing map definition information that identifies vector-based map data used to generate a map picture, the vector-based map data being comprised of primitives that define map objects, each map object defining one or more components of the map picture;
means for generating an initial map picture with vector-based map data identified by the map definition information;
means for displaying the generated initial map picture on a display device coupled to a computer;
means for receiving a request for additional information for the displayed initial map picture;
means for determining a location of the vector-based map data required to satisfy the received request by obtaining map definition information from the map window file;
means for retrieving the additional vector-based map data from a data storage device on a computer;
means for generating a new map picture based on the retrieved vector-based map data; and
means for displaying the generated new map picture on the display device coupled to a computer.
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18. A program storage device, readable by a computer having a memory and coupled to a data storage device, tangibly embodying one or more programs of instructions executable by the computer to perform method steps for viewing map data stored in the data storage device, the method comprising the steps of:
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retrieving a map window file from a data storage device coupled to a computer, the map window file containing map definition information that identifies vector-based map data used to generate a map picture, the vector-based map data being comprised of primitives that define map objects, each map object defining one or more components of the map picture;
generating an initial map picture with vector-based map data identified by the map definition information;
displaying the generated initial map picture on a display device coupled to a computer;
receiving a request for additional information for the displayed initial map picture;
determining a location of the vector-based map data required to satisfy the received request by obtaining map definition information from the map window file;
retrieving the additional vector-based map data from a data storage device on a computer;
generating a new map picture based on the retrieved vector-based map data; and
displaying the generated new map picture on the display device coupled to a computer.
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19. A memory for storing data for access by a computer program being executed on a data processing system, comprising:
a data structure stored in the memory, the data structure including information resident in a database used by the computer program and including;
map window information that specifies attributes of a map window within which a map picture is to be displayed on a computer display device;
initial map information identifying a location of map data which is to be used to generate an initial map picture and to display the generated map picture within the map window whose attributes are specified by the map window information;
map layer information that identifies one or more map layers providing additional information for the initial map picture generated with the initial map picture information the map layer information providing attributes of each map layer, definitions of map objects, definitions of map symbols, and location information identifying one or more locations at which map data is to be retrieved to update the map picture, the map layer information being retrieved in response to a user request for additional information after the initial map picture is displayed; and
zoom goto information for indicating map layers to which a user can request to zoom, the zoom goto information being retrieved in response to the user request to zoom in on a particular area of the map picture.
Specification