GB2363507A

GB2363507A - Multi-scale location maps.

Info

Publication number: GB2363507A
Application number: GB0008796A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Trevor Evan Parry
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-04-10
Filing date: 2000-04-10
Publication date: 2001-12-19
Also published as: GB0008796D0

Abstract

A method or providing a multi-scale location map to assist navigation to a particular location comprises remotely interrogating a computer upon which mapping data is held to produce a location map, and transmitting the location map to the remote location. Transmission may be by WAP technology. The maps may be viewed at the remote location either simultaneously (for example as a hard-copy print or on a computer screen) or sequentially (for example using the display of a WAP telephone). Preferably, the central computer includes means for identifying the particular location using a combination of information including, for example, the name of the resident for the location and a portion of the address.

Description

2363507 LOCATION MAPS This invention relates to the provision of mapping.

Traditional mapping consists of printed maps covering fixed geographical areas. In order to find a particular location, the map on which that location is situate must be found, and the location identified on the map. In order to locate a particular individual premises a large scale map will be required. It is impracticable for individuals or indeed small or medium size companies to hold a complete set of maps of the scale required to locate individual premises over a wide area.

With a view to obviating the problem outlined above 1 have proposed in my prior United Kingdom patent G13-13-22366 10 a so-called "location map" which comprises a plurality of individual small maps of different scales printed on a single sheet. One of the individual maps is of a large scale and identifies the particular premises to which the location map relates. The area represented by this first map is shown in the centre of a second map, which is of a smaller scale. Similarly, the area of the second map is represented in the centre of a third map which is of a still smaller scale. The area of the third map is represented in the centre of a fourth map of still smaller scale. Accordingly, a user may easily and accurately navigate his way to the desired location by working progressively from the smaller scale maps to the largest scale map, as he gets nearer and nearer to the location.

Whilst such location maps work well they suffer from the disadvantage that they must be prepared in advance for a particular location. They are thus well suited to organisations which have regular visitors, for example corporate headquarters or conference centres. Their use is, however, limited to organisations which have sufficient busmess to justify their production. Also, the uidividual map must be sent to the person wishing to use it, typically by post.

1 have now devised a system which offers all the advantages of the location map referred to above, yet which overcomes the disadvantages of such location maps.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention mapping information is stored on a computer. The computer is furnished with software which can produce a sequence of maps of progressively smaller scale centred on the same geographical point. The point can be identified, for example, by means of a grid reference or by means of a post code, or by means of the name of an individual building. Accordingly, when a location map for a particular location is required the computer can be interrogated to produce the required sequence of location maps with the actual desired location featured on the largest scale map, the area of the largest scale map shown in the centre of the next smaller scale map and so on.

In accordance with the present invention the computer holding the mapping information and capable of producing the relevant maps may be located remotely from a user who may interrogate the computer by any suitable means, for example by means of land line or cable communications or WAP communications.

Whilst in many cases the user's receiving device will be capable of displaying at least two of the separate maps simultaneously, this is not essential. It will be appreciated that the process of travelling to a particular location essentially involves working progressively from smaller scale maps to larger scale maps. Accordingly, it is acceptable if the various individual maps making up the location map are viewable sequentially. As a result, the present invention may be operated using a relatively small local display, for example of the type typically associated with WAP devices. Using such a device a sequence of maps of progressively larger scale can be downloaded from the central IoLatlon and then viewed sequentially locally. Even within an individual map only a portion of the map need be viewed at any one time and accordingly a very small screen will provide an acceptable image if it is associated with navigation keys which permit the portion of a map displayed on the screen to be varied.

In a typical application a user wishing to navigate his way to a particular destination will contact the central computer from his own computer and enter data sufficient to identify the desired location. Typically, such data may be a grid reference, a street address, or a post code. The central computer will then generate the required location map and send it to the user who may view it and/or print it locally.

In many instances, the user will be located in an office and have access to a computer having an internet connection. Under these circumstances, connection to the remote computer can conveniently be by internet and the map produced can be printed locally. It will be appreciated, however, that the invention is more generally applicable, and in particular may be utilised by those not in an office, for example delivery drivers. Such a driver could communicate by means of a laptop or smaller computer, or a specialist terminal, with the central computer by means of a WAP link and could download to his computer the location map necessary for a particular destination.

It will be appreciated from the foregoing that the "pre-production" necessary for conventional location maps is avoided and a purpose produced location map can be obtained very quickly for any desired location. For the purposes of producing the required map the location may be identified by any convenient means, for example the street address or post code of the location. If the central computer is furnished with the necessary information it may be possible to produce the required map from incomplete information - for example from the name of a person and part of their address. Especially in the case of relatively unusual surnames, the combination of a surname, a street name and a village or town will be sufficient to identify uniquely a location which can then be identified on a location map produced by the invention.

Whilst in many instances single location maps will be produced for a particular j ourney - for example a delivery i ourney by a delivery firm the invention is not limited to such applications. Indeed, householders may wish to produce a supply of hard copy printed location maps centred on their own house for distribution to visitors by post. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the remote interrogation of the mapping computer but covers all maps produced as a result of that remote interrogation.

Claims

CLAIMS:

I. A method of producing a location map to enable navigation to a particular location, the location map comprising a first large scale map on which the particular location is marked and a second smaller scale map on which the area covered by the large scale map is marked, the method comprising: storing the mapping information required to produce the location map on a computer at a central location; accessing the computer from a remote location; providing the computer with details of the Particular location; generating the data necessary to display the location map at the central location; and transmitting the data generated at the central location to the remote location to be displayed as a location map.
2. A method according to claim I wherein at the remote location the maps forming the location map are displayed for simultaneous viewing.
3. A method according to claim I wherein at the remote location the maps forming the location map are displayed for sequential viewing.
4. A method according to any preceding claim wherein the maps forming the location map are displayed for view on a transportable device.
5. A method according to claim 4 wherein the data is transmitted from the central computer to the remote location by means of a WAP link.
6. A method according to any preceding claim wherein only a portion of each map is viewable at the remote location, the method comprising changing the portion of the map which is viewable at remote location in accordance with the portion of the map which it is desired to view.
7. A method according to any preceding claim wherein the computer includes a search facility for locating the particular location from a combination of characteristics relating to the particular location.
8. A method according to claim 7 wherein one of the characteristics used to identify the particular location is the surname of the resident at the particular location.
9. A method of producing a location map to enable navigation to a particular location, the location map comprising a first large scale map on which the particular location is marked and a second smaller scale map on which the area covered by the large scale map is marked, substantially as hereinbefore described.