Abstract:
A method and apparatus for creating non-linear maps that simultaneously displays multiple “defined areas of interest” on a map at different resolutions than the resolution of an underlying map is disclosed. A standard map, along with map layers containing the locations and data for domain-specific “areas of interest” are inputted. A Map Truth Table creates the key map coordinates that define the map areas that will be viewed in a higher resolution than the underlying map. This information is further processed to produce the final non-linear map output. Such a map could show, for example, local street-level details of areas with severe earthquake damage on a map covering 250,000 acres.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/220,882, filed Sep. 18, 2015. This and all other extrinsic materials identified herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The field of the invention is non-linear map creation. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    The background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art. 
         [0004]    All publications herein are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply. 
         [0005]    With the advent of global positioning systems and the Internet, mapping has entered an enhanced era of functionality and value, such as linking precise location-specific data to maps. The prior art in mapping is extensive and sophisticated, for example Google® maps and Apple® maps. 
         [0006]    However, the prior art does not adequately meet the need for map users to see the big picture of a situation while simultaneously seeing a closer view of multiple domain-specific areas. 
         [0007]    In the example Scenario, there is a major earthquake in the San Diego, Calif. area. There are twelve areas of major damage and the Disaster Response Team is trying to assess the locations and extent of damage to assist in their planning efforts. 
         [0008]    Standard maps of an Earthquake Area might show the San Diego, Calif. region in a map area of twenty miles by sixteen miles. The twelve major earthquake damage locations could be shown on such a map, but they would likely overlap each other on a Map, because the Map covers such a large geographic area. 
         [0009]    Among other deficiencies, maps do not provide actionable details, at useful resolutions, about the exact locations of major damage. The prior art does not provide a means for human integration of high level visual data, in one place at one time. 
         [0010]    There is an unmet need for a method and system that addresses these and other deficiencies in the prior art. The present invention is directed toward providing such a technique. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    The following description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art. 
         [0012]    The inventive subject matter provides apparatus, systems, and methods to generate a map view from a map area. 
         [0013]      FIG. 8  shows a non-limiting overview of a prior art input that is used to produce an inventive output of the present invention.  FIG. 9  shows a non-limiting comparison of a prior art terrain map of the San Diego Earthquake Area as compared to a novel, inventive non-linear terrain map of the San Diego Earthquake Area based on an embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0014]    As used herein, a “map area” is a 2-D or 3-D area of a map that is received from a device, such as a server that provides maps (e.g. a Google™ map server), a scanner, or some other map repository. The system could be configured to retrieve such a map area in any suitable manner, for example by allowing a user to select the map area and import it into the system or by automatically importing the map area as part of a search. In some embodiments, the system allows a user to enter a search for a map area containing areas of interest, such as directions from one location to another location (which provides a map area having turn-by-turn directions as areas of interest) or a fire hazard map (which provides a map area having fire hazard spots as areas of interest). 
         [0015]    The system generally has an interest module which defines an interest metric that varies as a function of a location in the map area. As used herein, an “interest metric” is a quantifiable metric that indicates the level of interest in a location in the map area. The interest metric could be selected by a user of the system, for example a user could define the interest metric, or the system could provide a list of potential metrics for the user to select. Contemplated metrics include a turn in a route map, a length of a non-turning segment in a route map, a Richter scale measurement, a temperature, an elevation, and an alert. In some embodiments, the interest metric could be measured on a sliding scale, such as an interest metric for an earthquake measurement on a Richter scale, and in other embodiments the interest metric could be a binary value, such as a “true” for a non-turning segment in a route map and a “false” for an area of a route map without a non-turning segment. In some embodiments, the system could calculate the interest metric&#39;s binary value as a function of a measured value as compared to a threshold, for example the system could indicate that an earthquake measurement has a “true” measurement (indicating that it&#39;s an area of interest) when a Richter scale measurement is above 5, and has a “false” measurement (indicating that the measurement is not an area of interest) when a Richter scale measurement is 5 or below. 
         [0016]    The system also has an AOI (Area of Interest) module that defines multiple areas to expand in the map area as a function of the interest metric. In some embodiments, the areas could be defined by a user through a user interface. In such embodiments, the system could present a representation of the interest metric in the map area to an output user interface (for example by displaying the map area on the screen with dots indicating the areas of interest). The user could then mark off the borders of areas to expand by selecting portions of the map area on the screen. In other embodiments, the AOI module could be configured to define a set of areas in the map area automatically, such as, for example, by extrapolating rectangles between two turns in a turn-by-turned map, or by automatically drawing an area as a function of two areas to expand. 
         [0017]    The AOI module is also preferably configured to calculate a collective interest density of each area in the set of areas. A collective interest density of an area can be calculated by summing up the total value for all interest metrics within the area, and dividing that value by the area (or volume for a 3-D map area). In some embodiments, the AOI module is configured to rank each area of the set of areas by its collective interest density, and automatically select the most dense areas of the set of areas as a function of their comparative collective interest metric density. In some embodiments, a user interface could be provided that allows a user to select the number of areas to expand, such as 2, 3, 5, 8, 10, or more. Preferably, the selected areas to expand are non-overlapping with one another. In other embodiments, the AOI module could be configured to resize the area to expand to increase the collective interest metric density for the area, for example by expanding the area to include another area of interest or by contracting the area such that a border of the area is closer to an area of interest. The AOI module could be configured to reiteratively resize each area until a standard deviation of an original collective interest metric density for the old area and a resized collective interest metric density for a new area falls below a threshold value. For example, if the resized version has a resized collective interest metric density that is only 0.01 larger than the original collective interest metric density, the system could be configured to stop reiteratively optimizing the area to expand. 
         [0018]    In some embodiments, the system could have a triggering module that transmits alerts to distal entities as a function of each area and its collective interest density. For example, the system could divide the map into pre-defined areas, such as electronic grids or alert districts. A given map area might have a number of electronic grids, such as 12 electronic grids, where each electronic grid can be controlled by an activation switch and a shut down switch. The triggering module would then transmit alerts for each electronic grid area that has a collective interest metric over a given threshold, such as 5 or 10 or 20 or more. As an example, the system could be configured to calculate the collective interest metric of a number of fires in each electronic grid on a map, and transmit an alert to a distal control room to deactivate the electricity in electronic grid areas having a collective interest metric of over 5 fire alerts per 50 acres. In response, the control room could deactivate the electricity in those grid areas. Or the system could be configured to calculate the collective interest metric of a peak Richter scale measurement in different alert areas, and transmit an alert to alert districts having a peak Richter scale measurement of over 7.5. The alert district could then broadcast alerts, such as a radio message or speaker message, that is transmitted across the entire area to notify people in that area where they should head for safety reasons. 
         [0019]    An expanded view module preferably defines dimensions for each of the areas to expand, to create zoomed-in views of those areas. The expanded view module could be configured to define the sets of dimensions through a user interface that receives a user&#39;s input regarding how large each area to expand should be zoomed in to. Or the expanded view module could be configured to automatically define the sets of dimensions, for example by multiplying the dimensions by a factor of 2, 3, 4, or any suitable number, by selecting the dimensions as a function of the area&#39;s collective interest metric, or by defining the dimensions as a function of the size of the map area as compared to the size of the area to expand. In some embodiments, the expanded view module could be configured to rotate the zoomed-in view to accommodate spacing requirements in the map area. 
         [0020]    Once the system understands what areas to expand and how large to expand the areas, a map generator generates an overall view of the map area with the constructed overlaid zoomed-in views over the overall view. This allows a user to see a single map having multiple zoomed-in views that highlight the areas of interest, without having to look at multiple pages of maps. The overlaid zoomed-in view could be overlaid over the areas to expand or could be placed to the side of the areas to expand. For example, the map generator could be configured to ensure that the zoomed-in view is not overlaid over an area of interest, or does not cover an area having a collective interest metric above a given threshold. In some embodiments, the overlaid zoomed-in view could be overlaid in a manner to match a corner of the area to expand. Preferably, the map generator is also configured to ensure that the overlaid zoomed-in views are not overlaid over one another. 
         [0021]    In this manner, the system constructs an overall view of a map having various zoomed-in views highlighting areas having large clusters of areas of interest. Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components. 
         [0022]    It should be noted that any language directed to a computer should be read to include any suitable combination of computing devices, including servers, interfaces, systems, databases, agents, peers, engines, controllers, or other types of computing devices operating individually or collectively. One should appreciate the computing devices comprise a processor configured to execute software instructions stored on a tangible, non-transitory computer readable storage medium (e.g., hard drive, solid state drive, RAM, flash, ROM, etc.). The software instructions preferably configure the computing device to provide the roles, responsibilities, or other functionality as discussed below with respect to the disclosed apparatus. In especially preferred embodiments, the various servers, systems, databases, or interfaces exchange data using standardized protocols or algorithms, possibly based on HTTP, HTTPS, AES, public-private key exchanges, web service APIs, known financial transaction protocols, or other electronic information exchanging methods. Data exchanges preferably are conducted over a packet-switched network, the Internet, LAN, WAN, VPN, or other type of packet switched network. 
         [0023]    The following discussion provides many example embodiments of the inventive subject matter. Although each embodiment represents a single combination of inventive elements, the inventive subject matter is considered to include all possible combinations of the disclosed elements. Thus if one embodiment comprises elements A, B, and C, and a second embodiment comprises elements B and D, then the inventive subject matter is also considered to include other remaining combinations of A, B, C, or D, even if not explicitly disclosed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         [0024]    A clear understanding of the key features of the invention may be had by reference to the appended drawings, which illustrate the method and system of the invention, although it will be understood that such drawings depict preferred embodiments of the invention and, therefore, are not to be considered as limiting its scope with regard to other embodiments which the invention is capable of contemplating. 
           [0025]      FIG. 1  Block Hardware Diagram 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  Shows an exemplary input and output of an inventive system 
           [0027]      FIG. 9  Example of Standard and Non-Linear Terrain Maps 
           [0028]      FIG. 10  Non-Linear Terrain Mapping  100   
           [0029]      FIG. 11  User Input Interface  102   
           [0030]      FIG. 11-1  Non-limiting Examples of Control Vectors 
           [0031]      FIG. 11-1A  Non-limiting Examples Pre-Loaded Control Vectors 
           [0032]      FIG. 12  Internal Representation Module  106   
           [0033]      FIG. 13  Map Transformation Truth Table Module  108   
           [0034]      FIG. 14.1  Microsoft Excel Program for Map Truth Table—Columns A-G 
           [0035]      FIG. 14.2  Microsoft Excel Program for Map Truth Table—Columns H-J 
           [0036]      FIG. 15  Linear Map Segment Coordinates  110   
           [0037]      FIG. 15-1  Linear Map Segment Coordinates  110  Plotting Routine 
           [0038]      FIG. 16  Linear Map Segment Area Definitions  112   
           [0039]      FIG. 16-1  Linear Map Segment Areas  112  Plotting Routine 
           [0040]      FIG. 16-2  Non-Limiting Example of Map Segment Areas  112   
           [0041]      FIG. 16-3  Microsoft Excel Program for Calculating Map Areas  112   
           [0042]      FIG. 17  Non-Linear Linear Map Area Definitions  114   
           [0043]      FIG. 17-1  Autonomous Derivation of Non-Linear Map Areas 
           [0044]      FIG. 18  Populating Non-Linear Map Areas With Data  116   
           [0045]      FIG. 19  Non-Linear Terrain Map  116   
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0046]    In some embodiments, the numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, properties such as concentration, reaction conditions, and so forth, used to describe and claim certain embodiments of the invention are to be understood as being modified in some instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, in some embodiments, the numerical parameters set forth in the written description and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by a particular embodiment. In some embodiments, the numerical parameters should be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of some embodiments of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as practicable. The numerical values presented in some embodiments of the invention may contain certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements. 
         [0047]    As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. 
         [0048]    As used herein, and unless the context dictates otherwise, the term “coupled to” is intended to include both direct coupling (in which two elements that are coupled to each other contact each other) and indirect coupling (in which at least one additional element is located between the two elements). Therefore, the terms “coupled to” and “coupled with” are used synonymously. 
         [0049]    Unless the context dictates the contrary, all ranges set forth herein should be interpreted as being inclusive of their endpoints, and open-ended ranges should be interpreted to include commercially practical values. Similarly, all lists of values should be considered as inclusive of intermediate values unless the context indicates the contrary. 
         [0050]    The recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g. “such as”) provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention. 
         [0051]    Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all Markush groups used in the appended claims. 
         [0052]    The present invention provides a method and apparatus for creating non-linear maps that simultaneously displays multiple defined “areas of interest” on a map, at different resolutions than the resolution of the underlying map. The software, physical machine hardware, firmware, communications protocols and methods may be collectively referred to as system. 
         [0053]    The non-limiting example below illustrates some of the principles of the present invention and its utility and value compared to the prior art. The example Scenario involves the use of the present invention in an Earthquake Disaster Response situation. 
         [0054]    An object of the present invention is to allow for the simultaneous display of multiple map areas at different resolutions, at the same time on the same map. A further object of the present invention is to avoid the need for scrolling, gesturing, clicking or shuffling through printouts to see all the information in one place at one time. Further advantages, as well other non-limiting embodiments of the present invention are enumerated in this disclosure. 
         [0055]      FIG. 19  is a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of a non-linear terrain map, based on the apparatus and methods of the present invention 
         [0056]    Referencing  FIG. 10 , a User Input Interface  102  allows the user to specify the External Data Servers  104  that are to be accessed; define the data to be requested from each External Data Server and provide Control Parameters to control the Internal Representation Module  106 . In a non-limiting example, the External Data Servers  104  could have, for example, a Google® map server, and/or a FEMA real time earthquake database server. 
         [0057]    Control Parameters are provided by the User Interface Module  102  to the External Data Servers  104 , and the Internal Representation Module  106 . In this example, Control Parameters would include but are not limited to: the Map Scale, the longitude and latitude of the four points defining the corners of a desired rectangular map, and a Richter Scale Control Parameter of 5.0. 
         [0058]    The data requested from the External Servers  104  is provided to the Internal Representation Module  106  and would typically include standard data and graphics available under prior art, such as Google or Apple. 
         [0059]    Additionally, in this example, the Internal Representation Module  106  would use the FEMA server data to determine the longitude and latitude Coordinates of the twelve locations in the Map that the FEMA database identified as exceeding the Richter Scale Control Parameter of 5.0. These twelve points are referred to as a Domain-Specific Areas of Interest Definition, or Area of Interest or AOI. The Area of Interest can be large or it can be a point. 
         [0060]    A prior art map could show map data overlaid with the location of the twelve severe earthquake damage zones. In addition to the data visible on the map, the Internal Representation Module (IRM)  106  could contain additional information such as the X,Y (Longitude and Latitude) Coordinates of each Area of Interest (AOI) which in turn is driven by the given Control Parameters. In Map B  FIG. 10 , the twelve AOI&#39;s are the areas where the Richter scale earthquake strength was greater than 5.0. It is simple to compute the distance between any two points using the Pythagorean Theorem. 
         [0061]    The Internal Representation Module passes its information (the IRM Data) to a Map Truth Table  108 . The Map Truth Table  108  takes the IRM Data and dynamically defines Map Segment Coordinates  110  as a function of the current Areas of Interest. Different Area of Interest definitions in the Control Parameters will automatically and dynamically produce different Map Segments Coordinates. 
         [0062]    As a non-limiting example, the Map Truth Table  108 , applied to a Map, and based on the San Diego Earthquake Scenario, would produce the following Linear Map Segment Coordinates  110  (X0,Y0), (X4,Y4), (X5,Y5), (X6,Y6), (X7,Y7), (XF,YF) in Map C,  FIG. 15 , 
         [0063]    The Linear Map Area Definitions  112  shown in  FIG. 16  uses the data from the Map Segment Coordinates Module  110   FIG. 15  to create defined rectangular map segments. In other embodiments of the invention, the Map Segment Areas may be other shapes. In this illustrative embodiment, the Map Segment Areas are calculated by “squaring off” each successive pair of Map Segment Coordinates, as shown in  FIG. 16 . 
         [0064]      FIG. 16-2  is a non-limiting numerical example showing the four corner X,Y Coordinates for each of the Linear Map Segment Areas. For example, Map Segment A  190 , has Coordinates  178 ,  179 ,  180  and  181  for its four corners. 
         [0065]    With reference to  FIG. 17 , the Non-Linear Map Area Definitions Module  114  receives the data from the Linear Map Area Definitions Module  112 . In this non-limiting illustrative example, the Linear Map Area Definitions  114  are rectangles A, C and E. 
         [0066]    Based on Control Parameters received from the User Input Interface Module  102 , the Non-Linear Map Area Definitions Module  114 , operates on the Linear Map Areas  112  in  FIG. 16 , to produce a mapping of the Original Linear Map Segment Areas A, C, E,  310  into the Non-Linear Map Segment Areas A*, B*, C*  311 . 
         [0067]    In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment displayed in  FIG. 17 , the mapping C→C* of Linear Area C into Non-Linear Area C* is accomplished by selecting, using exemplary devices such as touch screens or a mouse, Point  302  (coordinates X6,Y5) and dragging the pointer to Point  303  (coordinates XC*,YC*). This action defines the new Non-Linear Area C*. The mapping A→A* and the mapping E→E* are accomplished by the same process. 
         [0068]    In yet another non-limiting exemplary embodiment,  FIG. 17-1  discloses a method for the Autonomous Derivation of Non-Linear Map Areas  311  from Linear Map Areas  310 . In this embodiment, the coordinates of Linear Map Areas  310  are modified in a series of sequential iterative optimizations to determine Non-Linear Map Areas  311  that have equal information densities. In this example, the Information Density of a proposed C* Non-Linear Map Area  316  would be defined as the [Number of AOI&#39;s in C*]/[Area of C*]. A set of final coordinates A*, B*, C* is determined when the standard deviation of the Information Densities for A*, B*, C* is less than a defined threshold or a maximum number of iterations has occurred. 
         [0069]    The two foregoing non-limiting exemplary embodiments for mapping from Linear→Non-Linear Map Areas show two completely different methods for accomplishing a Linear to Non-Linear Map Transform. Accordingly, a person having ordinary skills in the art can readily see that the present invention is not limited in scope to any particular type of devices, methodologies, criteria and rules for the Map Transform process, which may be of any type or design. Additionally, the scope of the invention is not limited by the devices, media or systems on which information is gathered, computed or transmitted 
         [0070]    At this point, the Non-Linear Map Areas  311  A*,B*,C* exist as three rectangles, each with four Coordinates.  FIG. 18  explains how the Non-Linear Map Areas  311  A*, B*, C* are populated with non-linear map data, for assembly into the final internal Non-Linear Map  116 . At this point, the size and coordinates of A*, B*, C* are known but there is no actual non-linear map data within any of the non-linear rectangles. 
         [0071]    In a non-limiting example, as shown in  FIG. 18 , the Internal Non-Linear Map Module  116  takes the Areas of Interest C  312  at its original scale, as in  FIG. 17 , and inserts it into the rectangle containing the Non-Linear Map Segment Area C*  316  in  FIG. 17 . The original Map Area C is expanded in proportion to the aspect ratio and size of C and C*. Other embodiments of the present invention could, by way of a non-limiting example include scaling, rotation or cropping of image. 
         [0072]    The data from the Internal Non-Linear Map Module  116  is directed to the User Output Interface Module  118 . Additionally, Control Parameters from the User Input Interface  102  are directed to the User Output Interface  118 . The User Output Interface Module  118  uses the Non-Linear Map Data and the specified Control Parameters to create an Externally Presented Non-Linear Map  120 , configured to be presented on one or more external devices or media specified by the Control Parameters. A non-limiting example of such a Map  120  is shown in  FIG. 19 . 
         [0073]    In other non-limiting embodiments, the Externally Presented Non-Linear Map  120  could be presented on a video monitor, as a PDF or JPG file, on a smart phone or on a virtual reality device. In a further non-limiting example, the Areas of Interest could be street turns on a driving map. In another non-limiting example, the Data Servers could be the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) public data servers, or the State of Louisiana oil spill database. In another non-limiting example, the Map Domain area could be a portion of the sky containing 100 million galaxies and the Areas of Interest could be regions emitting quasar energy above a given frequency. 
         [0074]    A person having ordinary skills in the art can readily see that the present invention is not limited in scope to any particular type of data, Data Servers, Data Domains, Data Requests or Control Parameters. Additionally, the scope of the invention is not limited by the devices, media or systems on which information is gathered, computed, processed, transmitted or displayed, or by the nature of such information, or upon whether the information is gathered, computed, processed, transmitted or displayed in static mode, updated intermittently, or updated in real time. 
         [0075]    For purposes of describing an exemplary embodiment of the invention, reference will be made to the figures set forth above. With reference to  FIG. 1 , in a presently preferred embodiment, the hardware platform includes a CPU/Processor  810 , persistent Non-Volatile Storage  812 , Volatile Storage  814 , Input Devices  822  and  824 , Output Devices  816 ,  818  and  820 , and a Network Connection  810  to the Internet  826 . A specific example of a suitable hardware platform is an Apple Computer iMac Retina with a 3.3 GHz Intel Core i5 processor, 8 GB 1600 MHz DDR3 memory and a 1 TB disk drive, connected to the Internet via a Verizon Fios network connection, running OS-X Yosemite, but it is to be understood that the teachings herein can be modified for other presently known or future hardware platforms. The software  100 , described below, based on the Flowchart shown in  FIG. 10 , is stored in the Non-Volatile Storage  812 , and runs in on CPU  810  at runtime, making use of the Volatile Storage  814  as needed. 
         [0076]    With reference to  FIG. 10 , there is shown a system  101  of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The system  101  includes Software  100 , a User Interface  102 , External Data Servers  104 , an Internal Representation Module  106 , a Map Truth Table  108 , a Linear Map Segment Coordinates Module  110 , a Linear Map Area Definitions Module  112 , a Non-Linear Map Area Definitions Module  114 , an Internal Non-Linear Map Module  116 , a User Output Interface  118 , and an Externally Presented Non-Linear Map  120 . 
         [0077]    It will be understood by those in the art and by a description of several non-limiting embodiments herein that the components comprising the system  101  are not necessarily independent stand-alone components and may, in fact, be functions within a single component. The User Input Interface  102  receives input via keypad, touch screen, mouse, voice or any other kind of known or future input mechanism and may include a display screen. 
         [0078]    The External Data Servers  104  are exemplary servers that provide Map Data, and data streams pertaining to the Domain-Specific-Areas-Of-Interest of any particular embodiment of the invention. The non-limiting examples below illustrate alternative embodiments. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 DOMAIN-SPECIFIC- 
               
               
                 MAP DATA 
                 AREAS-OF-INTEREST 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 A Land Map of the San Diego, CA region 
                 Locations with earthquake 
               
               
                   
                 Richter Scale reading 
               
               
                   
                 greater than 5.0 
               
               
                 A Land Map of the San Diego, CA region 
                 Driving directions between 
               
               
                   
                 two street addresses 
               
               
                 A Map of the Waters of the 
                 Areas with oil spills 
               
               
                 Gulf of Mexico 
               
               
                 An Astronomy Map of a portion 
                 Isophotal magnitude of 
               
               
                 of the universe 
                 galaxies with surface 
               
               
                   
                 brightness &lt;25 mag/arsec 2   
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0079]    Turning now to  FIG. 11 , there is a more detailed description of the User Input Interface (U/I)  102 . The U/I provides controls, input variables and parameters to various portions of the system via four Control Vectors. More specifically, The U/I  102  provides the Map Data Control Vector  102 . 1  and the Domain-Specific-Areas-Of-Interest (AOI) Control Vector  102 . 2  to the External Data Servers  104 . The Map Data Control Vector  102 . 1  and the AOI Control Vector  102 . 2  may be contained in one, or two separate vectors and be directed at one or more External Servers. The U/I  102  also provides an Internal Representation Module [IRM] Control Vector  102 . 3  to the Internal Representation Module (IRM)  106 , and an Output Control Vector  102 . 4  to the User Output Interface  118 . 
         [0080]    The Control Vectors may be linear vectors or matrix arrays. The number of elements and the definition and content of each element of a Control Vector will vary with each embodiment or instance of the invention. Each elements of a Control Vector may be of a different type, for non-limiting examples: a number, a formula, a picture, an Internet address, a file. 
         [0081]    Refer to  FIG. 11-1  for non-limiting illustrative example of Control Vectors. The first element of any instance of a Control Vector contains an Instance Identifier. For example, in the Area of Interest Control Vector Instance 2  203 , the Instance Identifier  208  is “FEMA-1”. 
         [0082]      FIG. 11-1  shows two Area of Interest Control Vectors  102 . 2 . Instance-1  202  for Driving Directions and Instance-2  203  for Recent Earthquake activity. Although these two Instances are both Area of Interest Control Vectors  102 . 2 , each Control Vector Instance contains a different number of elements, data and element types, demonstrating the content-independent general applicability of the present invention. 
         [0083]    A person having ordinary skills in the art can readily see that the present invention is not limited in scope to any particular type of data, Map Data, Data Servers, Data Server Information Requests, Domain-Specific-Areas-of-Interest, or the nature or type of any Data Requests or Control Parameters, or the format, definition, design or content of Control Parameter Vectors. 
         [0084]    In another illustrative embodiment as shown in  FIG. 11-1A , some or all of the Control Vectors may pre-loaded into the User Input Interface  102  so that Control Vector specifications can be saved for future use and can be selected by a simple identifier. 
         [0085]    Referencing  FIG. 12 , the External Servers Data Stream  102 . 5 , and The IRM Control Vector  102 . 3  the are passed to the Internal Representation Module (IRM)  106  by the IRM Incoming Data Stream  209 . 
         [0086]    The IRM  106  has as inputs the External Servers Data Stream  102 . 5  and the IRM Control Vector  102 . 3 . The output of the IRM  106  provides input to the Map Truth Module  108 . With reference to  FIG. 12 , a purpose of the IRM  106  is to transform portions of the IRM Data Stream  209  into the matrix array IRM Matrix  220  which is passed to the Map Truth Table  108 . The Area of Interest Occurrence # 210  indexes the occurrence number. The Map Coordinates  211  contain the Latitude and Longitude of the AOI occurrence. The Area of Interest Data Values  212  contain data related to the particular Occurrence # 210 . Area of Interest Occurrences  210  are declared if the Area Of Interest Data Values data point satisfies satisfy a defined condition. Finally, the Distance Between Areas of Interest (Dn)  213  may be calculated from the Map Coordinates  211  using the Pythagorean Theorem, or the Dn values may be provided as part of the IRM Incoming Data Stream  209 . 
         [0087]    In a non-limiting example, an Area of Interest Occurrence  210  would be declared if the Richter Scale  212  earthquake reading was greater than 5.0. In another non-limiting example, the Area of Interest Occurrences  210  would be declared where turns occurred in a driving map and the Distance Between Turns  213  was less than one mile. In other illustrative embodiments the Area of Interest Data Values  212  may be calculated and displayed in the Map Truth Table Module  108  rather than in IRM  106 . 
         [0088]    A person having ordinary skills in the art can readily see that the present invention is not limited in scope to any particular type of Map Coordinates  211  or Area of Interest Data Values  212 . In non-limiting examples, the Map Coordinates could be the (x,y) coordinates of the distance from a military base, or the Map Coordinates  211  could be the conventional earth-based longitude and latitude coordinates (x,y). In a further non-limiting example, the Area of Interest Data Values  212  could be the Richter Scale Earthquake value at a particular Area of Interest Occurrence  210 , or the Distance Since the Last Turn on a map of driving directions. 
         [0089]    Referring now to  FIG. 13 , the Map Truth Table Module  108  receives input from the Internal Representation Module  106  and performs a series of logic calculations. The output of the Map Truth Table Module  108  is a vector of Map Segments  254 . In the non-limiting example of  FIG. 13 , the twelve Area of Interest Occurrences  210  are non-linearly mapped into five Map Segments  254  A,B,C,D,E. 
         [0090]    The logic and detailed computational methodology underlying the Map Truth Table Calculations  251 ,  252 ,  253 ,  254  are fully disclosed in  FIG. 14-1  “Microsoft Excel Program for Map Truth Table Columns A-G”, and in  FIG. 14-2  “Microsoft Excel Program for Map Truth Table Columns H-J”. 
         [0091]    In the non-limiting example of  FIG. 13 , for a given AOI(n)  210 , if Dn  213 &lt;Lmin  204 , the value in T/F Test  214  is set to TRUE, otherwise FALSE. In the non-limiting example in  FIG. 11-1 , Lmin  204  is passed to the Map Truth Table  108  from Internal Rep. Control Vector  102 . 2  shown in  FIG. 11-1 . A person skilled in the art can readily see that the present invention is not limited in scope by any particular definition of the T/F Test  214  or by the test value Lmin  204 . In non-limiting examples Dn  213  could be the distance to the next turn, or the distance to the nearest star, or a Richter Scale earthquake value; Lmin could be 1.0 miles, 10 light-years, or a Richter Scale value of 5.0. 
         [0092]    The Map Focus State  251  is set to ON if T/F Test  214  is TRUE, otherwise  251  is set to FALSE. 
         [0093]    In the non-limiting example of  FIG. 13  The Map Focus Logic  252  is calculated as follows: If the Map Focus State  251  of AOI(n+1) equals the Map Focus State  251  of AOI(n) then the Map Focus Logic(n)  252  is set to TRUE, else FALSE. 
         [0094]    AOI(0)  210  is the initialization row of the Truth Table. The Coordinates of AOI(0)  253  are set to X0,Y0. In a non-limiting example X0,Y0 could be the upper left hand corner of a map. The Map Segment  254  for AOI(0) is set to “A”. 
         [0095]    The Map Segment Coordinates  253  are incremented in accordance with the following logic: If the Map Focus Logic(n)  252  is TRUE, then do not increment the Map Segment Coordinates  253 . Unincremented Coordinates(n)  253  for AOI(n)  210  may be shown in the Truth Table, or display a blank. This does not affect the calculations. If the Map Focus Logic(n)  252  is FALSE then increment the Map Segment Coordinates  253  to the Map Coordinates values (Xn,Yn)  211 . 
         [0096]    Each time the Map Segment Coordinates  253  change, the Map Segment value is incremented by one letter, hence the five Map Segments  254 . 
         [0097]    To enhance the disclosure and teachings of the present invention,  FIG. 14-1  and  FIG. 14-2  contain the complete source code for the fully functioning Excel computer program that produced  FIG. 13 . 
         [0098]      FIG. 15  shows the Map Segment Coordinates  253  displayed on Map A  111 . Turning now to  FIG. 15-1  there is a more detailed description of the Plotting Routine  185 . The inputs to the Plotting Routine  185  are the Map Truth Table  108  from  FIG. 13  and Map A  111  from  FIG. 15 . Setting the initial Area of Interest Occurrence  210  number (n) equal to zero, the logic of the Plotting Routine  185  is that if the Map Segments Coordinates  253  for a given Area of Interest Occurrence  210  number (n) is not blank THEN plot Coordinates  253  Xn,Yn on Map A  111 . Then the Area Of Interest Occurrence  210  number (n) is incremented by one, and the process is repeated until Nmax elements have been evaluated for plotting. 
         [0099]    With reference to  FIG. 16  there is shown a non-limiting example of how the Linear Map Areas A,B,C,D and E can be readily determined and plotted once the Map Segment Coordinates  253  are known. In general if there are N Map Segment Coordinates  253 , there are N−1 Map Segment Areas  254 . In the non-limiting example shown in  FIG. 16  there are six Map Segment Coordinates  253  and five Map Segment Area  254 , A,B,C,D,E. 
         [0100]    The Linear Map Area Definitions  112  shown in  FIG. 16  uses the data from the Map Segment Coordinates Module  110   FIG. 15  to create defined rectangular map segments. In other embodiments of the invention, the Map Segment Areas may be other shapes. In this illustrative embodiment, the Map Segment Areas are calculated by “squaring off” each successive pair of Map Segment Coordinates, as shown in  FIG. 16 . 
         [0101]      FIG. 16-1  is a flowchart of the Linear Map Segment Areas  112  Plotting Routine 
         [0102]      FIG. 16-2  is a non-limiting numerical example showing the four corner X,Y Coordinates for each of the Linear Map Segment Areas. For example, Map Segment A  190 , has Coordinates  178 ,  179 ,  180  and  181  for its four corners. 
         [0103]    With reference to  FIG. 17 , the Non-Linear Map Area Definitions Module  114  receives the data from the Linear Map Area Definitions Module  112 . In this non-limiting illustrative example, the Linear Map Area Definitions  114  are rectangles A, C and E. 
         [0104]    Based on Control Parameters received from the User Input Interface Module  102 , the Non-Linear Map Area Definitions Module  114 , operates on the Linear Map Areas  112  in  FIG. 16 , to produce a mapping of the Original Linear Map Segment Areas A, C, E,  310  into the Non-Linear Map Segment Areas A*, B*, C*  311 . 
         [0105]    In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment displayed in  FIG. 17 , the mapping C□C* of Linear Area C into Non-Linear Area C* is accomplished by selecting, using exemplary devices such as touch screens or a mouse, Point  302  (coordinates X6,Y5) and dragging the pointer to Point  303  (coordinates XC*,YC*). This action defines the new Non-Linear Area C*. The mapping A□A* and the mapping E□E* are accomplished by the same process. 
         [0106]    In yet another non-limiting exemplary embodiment,  FIG. 17-1  discloses a method for the Autonomous Derivation of Non-Linear Map Areas  311  from Linear Map Areas  310 . In this embodiment, the coordinates of Linear Map Areas  310  are modified in a series of sequential iterative optimizations to seek Non-Linear Map Areas  311  that have equal information densities. In this example, the Information Density of a proposed C* Non-Linear Map Area  316  would be defined as the [Number of AOI&#39;s in C*]/[Area of C*]. A set of final coordinates A*, B*, C* is determined when the Figure of Merit, which in this example is the standard deviation of the Information Densities for A*, B*, C* is less than a defined threshold or a maximum number of iterations has occurred. 
         [0107]    In the foregoing non-limiting embodiment. The optimization search process could be based on searches over fixed increments, by monte-carlo simulation or by various guided search methodologies. 
         [0108]    The two foregoing non-limiting exemplary embodiments for mapping from Linear Map Areas→Non-Linear Map Areas show two completely different methods for accomplishing a Linear to Non-Linear Map Transform. Accordingly, a person having ordinary skills in the art can readily see that the present invention is not limited in scope to any particular type of devices, methodologies, criteria, search process designs, Figures of Merit, or by rules for the Map Transform process, which may be of any type or design. Additionally, the scope of the invention is not limited by the devices, media or systems on which information is gathered, computed or transmitted 
         [0109]    At this point, the Non-Linear Map Areas  311  A*,B*,C* exist as three rectangles, each with four Coordinates.  FIG. 18  explains how the Non-Linear Map Areas  311  A*, B*, C* are populated with non-linear map data, for assembly into the final internal Non-Linear Map  116 . At this point, the size and coordinates of A*,B*,C* are known but there is no actual non-linear map data within any of the non-linear rectangles. 
         [0110]    In a non-limiting example, as shown in  FIG. 18 , the Internal Non-Linear Map Module  116  takes the Areas of Interest C  312  at its original scale, as in  FIG. 17 , and inserts it into the rectangle containing the Non-Linear Map Segment Area C*  316  in  FIG. 17 . The original Map Area C is expanded in proportion to the aspect ratio and size of C and C*. Other embodiments of the present invention could, by way of a non-limiting example include scaling, rotation or cropping of images. 
         [0111]    It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refers to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C . . . and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc.