Patent ID: 6704654
Filing Date: 2004-03-09
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
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 a communications network.