System and method for facilitating ad hoc compilation of geospatial data for on-line collaboration

• US 20060277188A1
• Filed: 06/01/2005
• Published: 12/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Groundspeak, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Groundspeak, Inc.
• Inventors: Alvord, Elias C., Boots, Sean E., Irish, Jeremy A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,467,147 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/284 Relational databases
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/29 Geographical information databases
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/954 Navigation, e.g. using categorised browsing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99932 Access augmentation or optimizing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99933 Query processing, i.e. searching

Abstract

A system and method for facilitating ad hoc compilation of geospatial data for on-line collaboration is provided. One or more categories under which to store waymarks in a geospatial data sharing database with an exportable schema are dynamically defined. Each waymark associates geospatial data with metadata as an unstructured information cache. At least one variable is dynamically associated with each such category to identify the metadata. One or more attributes specifying a type of metadata storable in identity are defined with each such variable. The categories are published on-line by storing the geospatial data and the metadata as waymarks under one such category and accessing the stored waymarks in response to user requests.

Claims

1. A system for facilitating ad hoc compilation of geospatial data for on-line collaboration, comprising:

a geospatial data sharing database with an exportable schema, comprising;

one or more dynamically defined categories under which to store waymarks in, each waymark associating geospatial data with metadata as an unstructured information cache; and

at least one variable dynamically associated with each such category to identify the metadata and defining one or more attributes specifying a type of metadata storable in identity with each such variable; and

a publisher component to publish the categories on-line by storing the geospatial data and the metadata as waymarks under one such category and accessing the stored waymarks in response to user requests.

2. A system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a manager to provide ownership controls over the database based on creation, ownership, and use.

3. A system according to claim 2, wherein the ownership controls allow one of exclusive or shared control over one or more of the categories.

4. A system according to claim 1, wherein the database is structured into a hierarchy of categories and subcategories within the schema.

5. A system according to claim 4, wherein the schema provided for each category and subcategory is dynamically created based on the variables and attributes assigned to that category and subcategory.

6. A system according to claim 4, wherein subcategories inherit the variables and attributes from one of a parent category and a parent subcategory.

7. A system according to claim 1, wherein the schema is exported as a portable data definition schema.

8. A system according to claim 7, wherein the waymarks are exposed and accessed using the portable data definition schema.

9. A system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a logger to log information regarding at least one of the waymarks from one such user request.

10. A system according to claim 9, wherein the information comprises data selected from the group comprising reference, log type, date recorded, ratings, encryption, recommendation, comments, narrative text, images, sound, video, and storable forms of digital data.

11. A system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a Web-based user interface to manage the database.

12. A system according to claim 11, further comprising:

a navigator to enable navigation of the waymarks stored in the database using the categories.

13. A system according to claim 11, further comprising:

a searcher to enable ad hoc searching of the waymarks stored in the database using one or more of the geospatial data and the metadata.

14. A system according to claim 11, further comprising:

a forum moderator to facilitate a location-based discussion identifying a location specified by such geospatial data.

15. A system according to claim 1, wherein at least one such waymark is associated with one or more zones of influence.

16. A system according to claim 1, wherein the metadata comprises digitally-storable information used to describe or be associated with a physical location and is selected from the group comprising narrative text, images, sound, video, and storable forms of digital data.

17. A method for facilitating ad hoc compilation of geospatial data for on-line collaboration, comprising:

dynamically defining one or more categories under which to store waymarks in a geospatial data sharing database with an exportable schema, each waymark associating geospatial data with metadata as an unstructured information cache;

dynamically associating at least one variable with each such category to identify the metadata and defining one or more attributes specifying a type of metadata storable in identity with each such variable; and

publishing the categories on-line by storing the geospatial data and the metadata as waymarks under one such category and accessing the stored waymarks in response to user requests.

18. A method according to claim 17, further comprising:

providing ownership controls over the database based on creation, ownership, and use.

19. A method according to claim 18, wherein the ownership controls allow one of exclusive or shared control over one or more of the categories.

20. A method according to claim 17, further comprising:

structuring the database into a hierarchy of categories and subcategories within the schema.

21. A method according to claim 20, wherein the schema provided for each category and subcategory is dynamically created based on the variables and attributes assigned to that category and subcategory.

22. A method according to claim 20, wherein subcategories inherit the variables and attributes from one of a parent category and a parent subcategory.

23. A method according to claim 17, further comprising:

exporting the schema as a portable data definition schema.

24. A method according to claim 23, further comprising:

exposing and accessing the waymarks using the portable data definition schema.

25. A method according to claim 17, further comprising:

logging information regarding at least one of the waymarks from one such user request.

26. A method according to claim 25, wherein the information comprises data selected from the group comprising reference, log type, date recorded, ratings, encryption, recommendation, comments, narrative text, images, sound, video, and storable forms of digital data.

27. A method according to claim 17, further comprising:

providing a Web-based user interface to manage the database.

28. A method according to claim 27, further comprising:

enabling navigation of the waymarks stored in the database using the categories.

29. A method according to claim 27, further comprising:

enabling ad hoc searching of the waymarks stored in the database using one or more of the geospatial data and the metadata.

30. A method according to claim 27, further comprising:

facilitating a location-based discussion identifying a location specified by such geospatial data.

31. A method according to claim 17, further comprising:

associating at least one such waymark with one or more zones of influence.

32. A method according to claim 17, wherein the metadata comprises digitally-storable information used to describe or be associated with a physical location and is selected from the group comprising narrative text, images, sound, video, and storable forms of digital data.

33. A computer-readable storage medium holding code for performing the method according to claim 17.

34. An apparatus for facilitating ad hoc compilation of geospatial data for on-line collaboration, comprising:

means for dynamically defining one or more categories under which to store waymarks in a geospatial data sharing database with an exportable schema, each waymark associating geospatial data with metadata as an unstructured information cache;

means for dynamically associating at least one variable with each such category to identify the metadata and means for defining one or more attributes specifying a type of metadata storable in identity with each such variable; and

means for publishing the categories on-line by means for storing the geospatial data and the metadata as waymarks under one such category and means for accessing the stored waymarks in response to user requests.