AU2014100746A4 - The object is to provide a system of marks, herein called Kalman marks, adapted particularly for using on computer based mapping systems wherein the points link, in a feedback loop, to an editable database of position, date, textual information and other attributes such as urls, and to a skybox. The novel feature is the linking of technologies and ideas to create a navigable information world. - Google Patents

Abstract

Kalman marks link the ability to place and move marks on a computer based map with access to online editable databases. A computer implemented method includes displaying information from a mapping application on a first domain on a web page, displaying one or more information boxes from a second domain on the web page, and generating a display on the mapping application web page linking the three elements map, skybox and database via the Kalman Marks. .. .. . . . .. . . . . Figue 1' 0e4 Figure 1

Description

1 KALMAN MARKS - LINKING MAP OR SKYBOX TO DATABASE, WITH SKYBOX, MAP AND DATABASE EDITABLE BY USER TECHNICAL FIELD: This innovation involves mechanisms and techniques for linking editable databases into geographical information systems such as mapping systems. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] My present invention has as object to provide a system of marks, herein called Kalman marks, adapted particularly for using on computer based mapping systems wherein the points link, in a feedback loop, to a database of position, date, textual information and some other attributes such as urls, and to a skybox , and to these and other ends the invention consists in improvements hereinafter described, the novel feature being the linking of all technologies and ideas as detailed below to create a navigable information world. [0002] Many searches made by internet users involve some geographic components. The search itself may include geographic information, such as an address for which a map and data are sought. The search may also implicitly call for geographic results, such as when the search includes the name of a battlefield having a physical location. Such searches may be made on an editable map or in an editable textual database using coordinate information to link them. [0003] A serious deficiency of web based mapping is the difficulty of correcting textual and locational information relating to a point in space and time. Individually solutions exist to place and move marks, and to have a database that is online editable: mediawiki and Trove are two examples. The concept is to couple the marks and the editable database, and to memorialise my grandfather Kalman Frank , buried in an unmarked grave in the Jewish Cemetery, Rookwood, Sydney.

2 SUMMARY OF INVENTION [0004] The technical problem involves finding a way to incorporate access to data from a point on a map, and the reverse, in such a way as to be editable by the user, thereby increasing access to, and dissemination of, various types of information about a place. [0005] The solution is to employ a Kalman mark, which extends the concepts of the keyhole markup language (KML) by adding connections to urls, videos, audio, images and textual information based on coordinates and/or dates and/or textual information, the same being searchable in a database. The database is modified to add support for Kalman marks by adding the data structures required: coordinates, urls, dates, videos, audio, images and textual information. An example is when saving a mediawiki entry, the coordinates are saved to a GIS compatible database. This can be the mediawiki database or a separate postgis one. This is accomplished by using a trigger in mediawiki. [0006] A mechanism is then required for extracting to XML the data needed to create a Kalman mark to present to a server, which then presents to a web page as a restful service. A call is initiated with options to enable a select from the coordinate tables, optionally limited by a bounding box or count, and/or by dates, and/or textual information . This selection is formatted as XML and returned, optionally compressed. The properly formatted XML is then converted to KML with attached features to make a Kalman mark. In the browser, the XML is converted to Kalman marks by conversion to KML with the return address to the database and toggle for skybox stored for display. The label provides a method to link to the database for a more complete set of information. This label can be created either in the client or at server level. [0007] A mechanism is then required for navigation between Kalman marks in each domain. The navigation is provided to expose the toggle and return address in either the skybox or the map view. The Kalman marks can be set as a new centroid in either view, in such a way as they appear to be travelled between. The path can be stored for later retrieval and replay.

3 [0008] The above processes are achieved by using existing, freely available software. For example, to an install of mediawiki, add a GIS database and set up an XML feed to a web page with Google Maps API 3 or other open source mapping tools. A separate program is needed to read the XML and convert to KML with extended features. An editable skybox solution is also required. [0009] The output of multiple modules may also be combined on a single map in various manners selected by a user. In this manner, users may combine multiple sets of data that are important to them in a single graphical representation. Such combinations may draw upon various source of geographically related content, such as business search, driving directions, a personal address book, KML files, transit information, and other such information sources. Such a combination may be referred to as a mash up of mash-ups. [0010] In addition, in adding, editing, or deleting modules, it may be desired to have those activities occur without a refresh of the container document. One illustrative technique for achieving this may involve use of AJAX programming techniques so a module may be added to a container document without a refresh of the container document page (perhaps only a refresh of the frame in which the new container is presented), or use of AJAX to remove a module without the container document being refreshed, or when a developer is developing a module, being able to change modules without the container document in which they are populated having to have a page refresh in order to incorporate the changed module. DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [0011] Firstly, there is a key to the elements of the drawings to indicate the symbols used in the figures below. Figure 1. Overview of page in Map view Figure 2. Skybox View showing links and trail in skybox. Figure 3. Skybox View showing links and trail in skybox with exposed information window. Figure 4. Skybox View after jump to next point on trail.

4 Figure 5. Overview of navigation between editable map and database DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS [0012] This innovation enables the building of an information rich virtual world with pictures, maps and information. This system of Kalman marks would find a use with school children investigating an historic site. They would be able to find their position at the site as a Kalman mark on a map, on an iPad for example, and use the system to look up information about the history of the site. This might include photographs of how the site looked at various times in the past, as well as links to people or items associated with the site. [0013] A second example would be tourists investigating travel spots. Tourists thinking about a holiday could go from a Wikipedia article about a place to a Kalman mark on a map, which would then link them to photos of that place and other information such as climate or nearby attractions. [0014] A third example would be touring the battlefields of the First World War. Web based articles with coordinates would link to Kalman marks on a map, with access to photos of the battlefields (current and in the past), descriptions of the battles in that place and links to other nearby battle sites. Other information that could be included might describe monuments, burial sites or old roadways. This could give a virtual tour of an area, the Somme for example, particularly interesting for those who are unable to travel.

Claims (1)

1. A Kalman Mark that is generated from a collaboratively edited database containing coordinates, urls, dates, videos, audio, images and textual information wherein the marks, when displayed on a computer based map, can switch between a map and a skybox, display the urls, and such content that is appropriate in the current view, map or skybox. Further, that navigation by engaging the other marks in the skybox is possible. The information box displayed can be used to toggle the view from skybox to map and the reverse. At all times, access is possible to the coordinate data used to generate the Kalman mark and its associated spatial, temporal and textual data and metadata. It is also possible to add a mark with a title and thus create a link to the collaboratively edited database ideally setting the coordinates for that name.