Patent ID: 7463258

Claim:
A method for extracting and rendering data from digital charting databases, comprising the steps of: combining data from a plurality of databases into a single database of three-dimensional (x,y,z) data points; sorting said database of three-dimensional (x,y,z) data points along one axis; creating a triangle surface mesh encompassing all of said database of three-dimensional (x,y,z) data points; adding each three-dimensional (x,y,z) data point incrementally to said triangle surface mesh until a full triangle mesh representation is achieved; dividing said triangle surface mesh into pieces along arbitrary lines to create discrete areas of predetermined size for efficient storing and rendering; and converting said triangle surface mesh into a standard file format; wherein said step of creating a triangle surface mesh encompassing all of said database of three-dimensional (x,y,z) data points further comprises connecting combined single-file data into a triangle mesh surface creating an artificial mesh surface consisting of a single triangle completely bounding the three-dimensional (x,y,z) data points.