Vector-based geographic data
The present invention discloses a method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for a computer implemented geographic information system that enables viewing a map picture that is generated from vector-based data. Map pictures can be generated with vector-based data. Map pictures created with vector-based data can be viewed. Additionally, map pictures are comprised of map objects, such as states and cities. Map objects can be chosen to obtain additional information, for example, a different map picture. Additionally, areas of the map picture can be zoomed in on to view the areas with greater resolution or to obtain additional data about the areas. Furthermore, when a user requests to view a map picture, only the map data required to respond to the user's request is downloaded to generate a map picture. As a user makes additional requests for information, additional map data is downloaded and new map pictures generated.
1. A method of obtaining a map in a computer graphics program comprising:
receiving a request for a map picture;
obtaining a map file in response to the request;
determining, from the map file, a uniform resource locator (URL) that identifies a storage location of vector based map data, wherein the vector based map data defines one or more map objects of the map picture;
obtaining the vector based map data from the storage location at the URL, wherein the obtained vector based map data satisfies the request for the map picture; and
displaying the map picture.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein only the vector based map data required to satisfy the request is obtained.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the vector based map data is obtained from a map server across a network connection.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising creating the map file.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising setting map display properties and a level of interaction.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the claim steps are performed by a browser plug-in.
7. An apparatus for obtaining a map computer-implemented graphics system comprising:
(a) a computer;
(b) an application executing on the computer, wherein the application is configured to:
(i) receive a request for a map picture;
(ii) obtain a map file in response to the request;
(iii) determine, from the map file, a uniform resource locator (URL) that identifies a storage location of vector based map data, wherein the vector based map data defines one or more map objects of the map picture;
(iv) obtain the vector based map data from the storage location at the URL, wherein the obtained vector based map data satisfies the request for the map picture; and
(v) display the map picture.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein only the vector based map data required to satisfy the request is obtained.
9. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the vector based map data is obtained from a map server across a network connection.
10. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the application is further configured to create the map file.
11. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the application is further configured to set map display properties and a level of interaction.
12. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the application comprises a browser plug-in.
13. An article of manufacture comprising a computer program storage device storing instructions that when read and executed by a computer, results in the computer performing a method for obtaining a map on a computer-implemented graphics system, wherein the method comprises:
receiving a request for a map picture;
obtaining a map file in response to the request;
determining, from the map file, a uniform resource locator (URL) that identifies a storage location of vector based map data, wherein the vector based map data defines one or more map objects of the map picture;
obtaining the vector based map data from the storage location a the URL, wherein the obtained vector based map data satisfies the request for the map picture; and
display the map picture.
14. The article of manufacture of claim 13 , wherein only the vector based map data required to satisfy the request is obtained.
15. The article of manufacture of claim 13 , wherein the vector based map data is obtained from a map server across a network connection.
16. The article of manufacture of claim 13 , the logic further comprises creating the map file.
17. The article of manufacture of claim 13 , the logic further comprises setting map display properties and a level of interaction.
18. The article of manufacture of claim 13 , wherein the logic is performed by a browser plug-in.