Abstract:
A method of capturing deep mapping information regarding points of interest includes capturing the location of the point of interest and adding the location to a deep mapping information record, entering specifics regarding the points of interest into the deep mapping information record, marking the deep mapping information record as inactive, verifying the deep mapping information, marking the deep mapping information record as active and then allowing users to search only the active deep mapping information records.

Description:
1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates to a method for capturing mapping information and more particularly to a method for capturing and verifying mapping information and delivering it to the end user. 
       2. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Rural America remains quite undiscovered by countless tourists who fly by on the interstate on their way to a handful of heavily advertised tourist attractions. These tourists wind up missing much of the character of their country, the small shops, soda fountains, historic landmarks, bed and breakfast style lodging and natural attractions. Communities across our continents have a story to tell. These stories are worth preserving. The old buildings, the remembrances of past events, the significance of the culturally authentic are important parts of every country&#39;s heritage. 
         [0003]    Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) mapping systems have been in use for many years and are becoming increasingly present in consumer vehicles such as automobiles and recreational vehicles. These mapping systems assist tourists by providing maps of roads, interstates, cities, lakes, rivers and, perhaps, major attractions such as Mount Rushmore or the Cape May Lighthouse. Systems and methods for creating maps using GPS are known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,236,938 to Atkinson, et al., is hereby incorporated by reference. This patent describes a system and method for creating maps using GPS along with a range finder so that a cartographer can record the location of a distant object (e.g., a mountain peak, island) without traveling to the spot they wish to record. This system would certainly aid in the capture of mapping information and can be used in conjunction with the present invention, but by itself, it does not provide a method whereby detailed information about rural attractions can be captured and mapped. 
         [0004]    What is needed is a method for capturing and verifying detailed information about rural attractions such as historic landmarks, small shops, natural attractions and bed and breakfast lodging. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    Accordingly, an objective of the present invention is to a method whereby a researcher discovers and carefully records data regarding structures such as an old building, an old bridge, a church, a museum, a school and a famous restaurant or places such as a cemetery, a park, an old battlefield and a lake. 
         [0006]    Another objective of the present invention is to a method whereby a researcher discovers and carefully records data regarding structures such as an old building, an old bridge, a church, a museum, a school and a famous restaurant or places such as a cemetery, a park, an old battlefield and a lake and a second party verifies the accuracy of such information. The researcher is, for example, a college student and the verifier, for example, is a college professor or city mayor. 
         [0007]    In a first embodiment, a computer based system for capturing deep mapping information regarding points of interest is described having a plurality of deep mapping client computers, each deep mapping client computer having: a user interface for controlling operation of the mapping client computer and for accepting information regarding points of interest and adding it to the deep mapping information; a GPS receiver for adding the location of the points of interest to the deep mapping information; a local database for storing the deep mapping information; templates stored in the local database and accessible by the user interface, each template in the plurality of templates related to a particular type of point of interest; and a network interface coupling the mapping client computer to a network for sending the deep mapping information. A deep mapping server system running on a server computer has: a deep mapping database for storing the deep mapping information; a server network interface coupling the server computer to the network; a reception module for receiving the deep mapping information from the deep mapping clients through the network and for storing the deep mapping information in the deep mapping database; and a search engine interfaced to the network through the network interface for providing access to the deep mapping information that is stored in the deep mapping database. 
         [0008]    In another embodiment, a computer based server system for capturing deep mapping information regarding points of interest a computer is described including a deep mapping database coupled to the computer for storing deep mapping information and a network interface coupling the computer to a network. A reception module operates on the computer for receiving the deep mapping information from deep mapping clients through the network and stores the deep mapping information in the deep mapping database and a search engine operates on the computer and interfaces to the network through the network interface for providing access to the deep mapping information that is stored in the deep mapping database. 
         [0009]    In another embodiment, a computer based client system for capturing deep mapping information regarding points of interest is described including a plurality of computers, each with a processor; a memory; a hard disk; a network interface coupled to a network; a graphics adapter and operatively coupled to a graphics display; a GPS receiver for reading a location of the points of interest; a user interface for controlling operation of the computers and for accepting information regarding the points of interest from a deep mapper; a plurality of local databases operatively stored on the hard drives for storing the deep mapping information; and a plurality of templates stored in the local databases and accessible by the user interfaces, each template in the plurality of templates related to a particular type of the point of interest. 
         [0010]    In another embodiment, a method of capturing deep mapping information regarding points of interest is described including capturing the location of the point of interest and adding the location to the deep mapping information; entering specifics regarding the points of interest into the deep mapping information; marking the deep mapping information as inactive; verifying the deep mapping information; marking the deep mapping information as active; and then allowing users to search only the active deep mapping information. 
         [0011]    In another embodiment a computer readable medium including computer programming instructions that cause a computer to perform the method for capturing deep mapping information regarding points of interest, the method includes the steps of capturing the location of the point of interest and adding the location to the deep mapping information; entering specifics regarding the points of interest into the deep mapping information; marking the deep mapping information as inactive; verifying the deep mapping information; marking the deep mapping information as active; and allowing users to search only the active deep mapping information. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    The invention can be best understood by those having ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  illustrates a schematic view of the system of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  illustrates a schematic view of the data capture system of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  illustrate flow charts of the data capture and verification of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIGS. 4 ,  4   a ,  4   a   1 ,  4   a   2  and  4   b  illustrate data entry templates of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  illustrates a typical computer system utilized by the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0018]    Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements in all figures. Reference to a site or point of interest refers to any place or landmark that may be of interest to a visitor such as a tourist. The Deep Mapper (user of the disclosed software, e.g., a researcher) can be anybody: a student, a professor, the mayor or a plain ordinary citizen. Anybody with some special knowledge of a specific place, structure or natural setting can make a good “Deep Mapper.” The verifier can be anybody in a position to verify the information captured by the researcher such as a professor, teacher, mayor, law enforcement officer, etc. This hierarchy of researcher coupled with one or more verifiers produces more reliable data, in that, the researcher&#39;s data is checked by a verifier to make sure it is accurate and does not include any offensive material. 
         [0019]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a schematic view of the system of the present invention is shown. The components of the Deep Mapping system are connected by a network  10 , in this embodiment, by the World Wide Web  10  (e.g. the Internet). A plurality of capture agents  12 / 14 / 16  running deep mapping software  36  (see  FIG. 2 ) are coupled to a reception module  20  through the network  10 . As will be explained, the capture agents  12 / 14 / 16  capture data regarding a place of interest such as an old church, a restaurant, etc. The captured data includes GPS coordinates, a picture and a description. Once the captured data is complete, it is verified either by local verification  41  or verification at the reception module  20 . Verification checks the data for accuracy, grammar, spelling and the like, and then when acceptable, enters the data into a record within a database of rural points of interest  22 . These records are then searchable by tourists at a client workstation  30  through the network  10  and a search engine  24 . For example, the tourist can search for old churches near Mount Rushmore and obtain a list of old churches in that location along with exact locations of each, a description of each and, optionally, one or more pictures of each. 
         [0020]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , a schematic view of the data capture system of the present invention is shown. The Deep Mapping software  36  has a user interface  38  for displaying data records, prompting the deep mapping user and for capturing data from the deep mapping user. A GPS system  40  interfaces with the deep mapping software  36  to provide accurate coordinates of the point of interest being mapped. The deep mapping software  36  accesses a plurality of templates  34  designed to describe different types of points of interest. For example, there can be a template for a structure, natural sites, bodies of water, etc. Each template has different fields regarding the different types of objects. For example, a building or structure template can have a field for number of rooms but that field would not be relevant to a stream or lake. 
         [0021]    Information is stored in a local database  32  that can be a simple file system or a database managed by a database manager as known in the industry. The data stored in the database includes data captured from the user interface  38  as well as images of the points of interest  33  and audio clips  35  obtained at the points of interest. In some embodiments, there is a local verification module  41  which is configured to allow verification of the captured data before it is forwarded to the reception module  20 . In these embodiments, it is envisioned that the researcher is, for example, a student, and the captured data is verified by, for example, a professor or teacher, before it is transmitted to the reception module  20 . In some embodiments, the captured data is locked within the local computer until the verifier logs onto the local computer and verifies (approves) the data, at which time it is marked as approved and can be sent to the reception module  20  at any time thereafter. 
         [0022]    Referring to  FIG. 3   a , a flow chart of the data capture of the present invention is shown. Although the order of this process is not important, in this example, the process for creating a deep mapping entry  50  starts by capturing the location of the site  51  by using the GPS hardware of the capturing computer system. The GPS hardware, which is well known in the industry, uses a series of satellites that are in geo-synchronous orbit around the earth to determine a precise location of the point of interest by positioning the computer system that contains the GPS hardware at the point of interest and extracting the coordinate information from the GPS hardware (as known in the industry). Next, one or more digital images (still or motion) are captured  52 . Next, a web page template is selected  53 . Various different web page templates are pre-designed for use by the deep mapping user. Each template has information fields pertaining to the specific type of point of interest. For example, for a structure, there may be a field for approximate date of construction while for a body of water; there may be a field for maximum depth and average summer temperature, etc. 
         [0023]    Next, the Deep Mapper (researcher) enters a description of the location in the format of the template  54 . If there are any digital images or video clips of the point of interest, they are associated with the site  55  and, likewise, if there are any audio clips, they are also associated with the site  56 . If local verification is required  57 , local verification is performed at the local computer or local network  58  before the completed record along with images, sound and GPS coordinates is sent to the central deep mapping server. 
         [0024]    Referring to  FIG. 3   b , a flow chart of the data flow of the present invention is shown  60 . Data regarding the site is captured along with location, sound and images as in  FIG. 3   a    61 . At this point, the data is marked as inactive meaning that, even if it is transferred to the server database  22 , it is not “live” and, therefore, cannot be accessed through the search engine  24 . Also, as in  FIG. 3   a , if local verification is required  62 , local verification is performed  63  and, when complete, the data is marked as active (e.g., searchable). Local verification can be performed by a verifier logging onto the researcher&#39;s computer (e.g., with a user name and password), reviewing the data, optionally editing the data and, if satisfied, approving the data at which time the data is marked as active. The verifier is, by example, a teacher, professor or mayor. Next, the data is transferred to the central deep mapping site  64  and is received by the reception module  20 . The data is either active (if local verification was performed) or inactive (if server-based verification is needed). It is well know how to transfer data from the local computer to the deep mapping server, including transmission by data connection (e.g., internet or dial-up) and copying the record to a recordable media and physically transferring the recordable media to the deep mapping server where it is read into the deep mapping server. 
         [0025]    Once the record is at the deep mapping server, it is stored in the database of points of interest  22 . In the preferred embodiment, if it is already marked active  65 , then it is immediately searchable  67  by, for example, tourists. If it is currently marked inactive  65 , then it must be verified before it can be searched. Therefore, it is present in the database  22 , but not searchable. In this embodiment, the verifier (e.g., a professor or teacher) logs onto the deep mapping server using a user name and password, accesses the record and reviews the data, optionally edits the data and, if satisfied, approves the data at which time the data is marked as active and is immediately searchable  67 . Alternately, in some embodiments, server verification is also performed on the record before it is set to active in the database of points of interest  22 . 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , a data entry template of the present invention is shown. This exemplary template is for a structure  60  such as a building, bridge, church, etc. Other data entry screens are possible based upon the various templates described previously. The deep mapping user has selected to enter location information  61 . The location coordinates  63  have been imported from the GPS hardware or alternately, can be entered manually. A general name for the structure  62  is entered by the deep mapping software user. A description  64  is entered by the user of the deep mapping software. In this example, this field is limited to 500 words to keep it as brief as possible, though any limit may be applied. If there are still digital images, video clips or audio clips, the file location of the still digital image is entered into the photo name field  65 , the file location of the audio clip is entered into the audio name field  66  and the file location of the video clip is entered into the video name field  67 . Any number of image and audio fields is possible. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the image or audio file location is set using a browse function as known in the art. Once all data is entered, the OK button  70  is activated. In some embodiments, the OK button  70  simply saves the record to the local database  32 . In other embodiments, it saves the record to the local database  32  and either sends it to the reception module  20  (if online) or queues it to be sent to the reception module  20  (if offline) the next time the deep mapping software is connected to the network  10 . In some embodiments, the deep mapping software user is assigned a user name and password, thereby authorizing access to the deep mapping system and permitting the upload of deep mapping data through the deep mapping software. 
         [0027]    Referring to  FIG. 4   a , a user data entry screen  71  of the present invention is shown. In this exemplary screen, information regarding the Deep Mapper or researcher is captured and associated with one or more sets of deep mapping data. The user&#39;s name  72 , address  73 , phone number and other contact information is captured so that if there is any question regarding the data that they have captured arises when it reaches the server system, the researcher can be contacted to resolve any issues with the data. Once this information is captured, the user initiates the OK function  74  to save it in the local database  32 . Information from this screen is later associated with each set of deep mapping software captured by that user. 
         [0028]    Referring to  FIG. 4   a   1 , a user data entry screen  75  of the present invention is shown. In this exemplary screen, information regarding the deep mapping verifier is captured. The user&#39;s name  76 , address  77 , phone number and other contact information is captured so that if there is any question regarding the data that they have captured arises when it reaches the server system, they can be contacted to resolve any issues with the data. Once this information is captured, the user initiates the OK function  78  to save it in the local database  32  or deep mapping database  22 . The information includes a password required to log onto either a local computer or the deep mapping server for approving records captured by the Deep Mapper. 
         [0029]    Referring to  FIG. 4   a   2 , a data verification screen  160  of the present invention is shown. This exemplary data verification screen  160  is based upon a template a structure such as a building, bridge, church, etc. Other verification screens are possible relating to the various data entry templates previously described. The deep mapper had previously entered information. The location coordinates  163  had been imported from the GPS hardware or alternately, were entered manually. A general name for the structure  162  was entered by the deep mapper. A description  164  was entered by the deep mapper. Any still digital images, video clips or audio clips were captured and the file location of the still digital image is in the photo name field  165 , the file location of the audio clip is in the audio name field  166  and the file location of the video clip is in the video name field  167 . The verifier can update the data by typing over it or other methods known in the industry. Once the verifier is satisfied with all of the data, the “approve” button  170  is activated, thereby marking the data record as active and making it searchable. If the verifier does not want to approve the record, he or she activates the cancel button  172 , leaving it in the inactive state until the verifier is ready to approve. If the verifier makes some changes, but is still not ready to verify the record, they select the save function  174 , which saves the record in the inactive state along with any changes made by the verifier. 
         [0030]    Referring to  FIG. 4   b , a user data entry screen  82  of the present invention is shown. In this exemplary screen, information regarding the building shown in  FIG. 4  is further described. This screen lets the deep mapping user enter further details, e.g., specifics  83 , regarding the same location as in  FIG. 4 ; therefore, the name of the location  62  is the same as in  FIG. 4 . The content of this screen varies based upon the type of place being documented. In this instance, an establishment is being documented (e.g., a bed and breakfast) and specifics are entered regarding the opening time  84 , the closing time  85 , the number of rooms (e.g., bedrooms)  86 , whether parking is available  87 , handicap access available  88 , restrooms with ADA compliance  89 , a co-located restaurant  90  and in-room television  91 . Once all data is entered, the deep mapping user selects the OK button  92  and the information is saved. 
         [0031]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , a typical computer system utilized by the present invention is shown. Although shown in its simplest form, having a single processor, many different computer architectures are known that accomplish similar results in a similar fashion and the present invention is not limited in any way to any particular computer system. The present invention works well utilizing a single processor system as shown in  FIG. 5 , a multiple processor system where multiple processors share resources such as memory and storage, a multiple server system (not shown) where several independent servers operate in parallel or any combination. The processing system described or a similar system can be used to run the deep mapping software as well as the server based software including the deep mapping database  22  and search engine. 
         [0032]    In this exemplary embodiment, a processor  210  is provided to execute stored programs that are generally stored for execution within a memory  220 . The processor  210  can be any processor or a group of processors, for example an Intel Pentium-4® CPU or the like. The memory  220  is connected to the processor and can be any memory suitable for connection with the selected processor  210 , such as SRAM, DRAM, SDRAM, RDRAM, DDR, DDR-2, etc. Firmware is stored in firmware storage  225  that is connected to the processor  210  and may include initialization software known as BIOS. This initialization software usually operates when power is applied to the system or when the system is reset. In some embodiments, the software is read and executed directly from the firmware storage  225 . Alternately, the initialization software is copied into the memory  220  and executed from the memory  220  to improve performance. 
         [0033]    Also connected to the processor  210  is a system bus  230  for connecting to peripheral subsystems such as a network interface  280 , a hard disk  240 , a CDROM  250 , a graphics adapter  260 , a keyboard/mouse  270 , Global Positioning System Receiver  290 , camera interface  300  and audio interface  310 . The graphics adapter  260  receives commands and display information from the system bus  230  and generates a display image that is displayed on the display  265 . 
         [0034]    In general, the hard disk  240  may be used to store programs, executable code and data persistently, while the CDROM  250  may be used to load said programs, executable code and data from removable media onto the hard disk  240 . These peripherals are meant to be examples of input/output devices, persistent storage and removable media storage. Other examples of persistent storage include core memory, FRAM, flash memory, etc. Other examples of removable media storage include CDRW, DVD, DVD writeable, compact flash, other removable flash media, floppy disk, ZIP®, laser disk, etc. In some embodiments, other devices are connected to the system through the system bus  230  or with other input-output connections. Examples of these devices include printers; mice; graphics tablets; joysticks; and communications adapters such as modems and Ethernet adapters. 
         [0035]    The network interface  280  connects the computer-based system to the world-wide-web  10  through a link  285  that is, preferably, a high speed link such as a cable broadband connection, a Digital Subscriber Loop (DSL) broadband connection, a T1 line or a T3 line. 
         [0036]    The GPS receiver  290  is interfaced with a GPS antenna  295  to receive GPS signals from the array of GPS satellites positioned around the world. The camera interface  300  is optionally connected to a camera  305  for importing digital images and video clips from a digital camera  305 . The audio interface  310  has an audio input  315  that can be connected to a microphone or other audio source and, optionally, a speaker  320  or earphone (not shown) for listening to stored audio clips. 
         [0037]    Equivalent elements can be substituted for the ones set forth above such that they perform in substantially same manner in substantially the same way for achieving substantially the same result. 
         [0038]    It is believed that the system and method of the present invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely exemplary and explanatory embodiment thereof. It is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.