Abstract: Systems and methods for georeferencing digital raster maps by assigning points on the raster map with geographic coordinates corresponding to points on a georeferenced vector map or another georeferenced raster map. The raster map and a corresponding vector map are simultaneously displayed to a user, wherein the user then locates a common geographic point or feature on each map, and marks each of them as a unique point-pair. When the user has marked at least two point-pairs, the system then computes a georeferencing function, based on the pixel-coordinates of the points marked on the raster map and the corresponding geographic coordinates of the points on the vector map. Thereafter the geographic coordinates of any point on the map may be easily computed. The preferred embodiment provides that as more point-pairs are identified, the georeferencing function is modified for increased accuracy.

Abstract: A method, computer-readable medium and apparatus for georeferencing a raster map. A first map is displayed in one area of a display, wherein the first map is a digital raster map. A second map is displayed in a second area of the display, wherein the second map is a georeferenced map that displays at least a portion of an identical geographic region displayed in the raster map. A user selects a point on the first map, and then selects a point on the second map, wherein the point selected on the second map corresponds to the point selected on the first map. Next, a geographic coordinate associated with the point selected on the second map is assigned to the corresponding point selected on the first map. These operations are repeated, i.e., selecting a point on the first map, selecting a point on the second map and assigning a geographic coordinate at least a second time.

Abstract: A system and method for coordinated manipulation of multiple displayed maps, even when the maps use different internal coordinate systems. According to this embodiment, each map image to be displayed is first georeferenced, to provide a set of conversion functions between each map's internal coordinate system and a geographic coordinate system, which is latitude/longitude in the preferred embodiment. After this is done, any point on each map can be referenced using the geographic coordinate set. Since this is the case, the maps can now be manipulated, edited, and annotated in a synchronized manner, by defining the manipulations in terms of the geographic coordinate system, and using the georeferencing functions to translate the manipulation to each map's internal coordinate system.

Abstract: A system and method for coordinated manipulation of multiple displayed maps, even when the maps use different internal coordinate systems. According to this embodiment, each map image to be displayed is first georeferenced, to provide a set of conversion functions between each map's internal coordinate system and a geographic coordinate system, which is latitude/longitude in the preferred embodiment. After this is done, any point on each map can be referenced using the geographic coordinate set. Since this is the case, the maps can now be manipulated, edited, and annotated in a synchronized manner, by defining the manipulations in terms of the geographic coordinate system, and using the georeferencing functions to translate the manipulation to each map's internal coordinate system.

Abstract: A system and method for coordinated manipulation of multiple displayed maps, even when the maps use different internal coordinate systems. According to this embodiment, each map image to be displayed is first georeferenced, to provide a set of conversion functions between each map's internal coordinate system and a geographic coordinate system, which is latitude/longitude in the preferred embodiment. After this is done, any point on each map can be referenced using the geographic coordinate set. Since this is the case, the maps can now be manipulated, edited, and annotated in a synchronized manner, by defining the manipulations in terms of the geographic coordinate system, and using the georeferencing functions to translate the manipulation to each map's internal coordinate system.

Abstract: After FEMA paper flood maps are scanned into a computer system, they are each displayed side-by-side with the relevant portion of a stored vector map covering the geographic area covered by all of the FEMA maps. During display, corresponding points, or “point-pairs,” on each map are marked by a keyboard or mouse device. The corresponding points may be such artifacts as roads, stream beds, railroad tracks, intersections of the foregoing, buildings, mountain peaks, etc., which are identifiable on each displayed map. When two point-pairs are marked, a stored algorithm calculates georeferencing functions which permit translation of the x,y coordinates of the raster map to the latitude,longitude coordinates of the vector map and vice versa. As more point-pairs are marked, the georeferencing functions are refined. Another algorithm removes apparent “bad” points from the georeferencing calculations, which points may re later used if it appears that they are not bad.

Abstract: After FEMA flood maps are scanned and converted to raster maps on a computer system, they are georeferenced. The georeferenced raster maps are stored on the system. Map inset polygons are surrounded by a virtual bounding box and a determination is made whether each grid rectangle intersects any bounding box. For each such intersection, the relevant inset polygon is traced to determine if it actually intersects the grid rectangle. If there is such intersection, the inset polygon is added to a list attached to the grid rectangle. At the end of the process, the list for each grid rectangle identifies each inset polygon intersected thereby. When an address of a property subject to a flood zone determination is entered into the system and geocoded, the grid rectangle containing the address is immediately called up. If only one inset polygon is on the list, it is used to make the flood determination.

Abstract: After FEMA flood maps are scanned and converted to raster maps on a computer system, they are georeferenced. The georeferenced raster maps are stored on the system. Map inset polygons are surrounded by a virtual bounding box and a determination is made whether each grid rectangle intersects any bounding box. For each such intersection, the relevant inset polygon is traced to determine if it actually intersects the grid rectangle. If there is such intersection, the inset polygon is added to a list attached to the grid rectangle. At the end of the process, the list for each grid rectangle identifies each inset polygon intersected thereby. When an address of a property subject to a flood zone determination is entered into the system and geocoded, the grid rectangle containing the address is immediately called up. If only one inset polygon is on the list, it is used to make the flood determination.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for evaluating a characteristic or trait present at a geographic location in a plurality of non-georeferenced maps. In operation, the method comprises constructing a virtual bounding box around each inset of the maps, and then defining a virtual rectangular geographic grid system covering the total area covered by the maps. For each grid rectangle that intersects an inset bounding box, tracing the inset enclosed by the bounding box to determine if there is intersection of the grid rectangle and the inset. If there is intersection of a grid rectangle and an inset, adding the identity of the inset to a list associated with the grid rectangle, geocoding the location of the geographic location, and examining the insets contained in the list associated with the one grid rectangle containing the geocoded location, and performing the evaluation.

Abstract: A system and method for performing flood zone determinations using scanned, georeferenced, digital raster map images. The user, to determine the flood zone classification of a particular property, first enters the street address, or full legal address, into a data processing system. The system determines, from the address, which raster map includes that particular property. The system retrieves that map, and utilizes georeferencing information to locate the property on the raster map. The user can visually verify the location of the property as marked on the displayed raster map, and can at that point examine the flood zone indications on the raster map. Further, the system can compare the geographic coordinates of the property against a database of flood zone boundaries for an automated flood zone determination. The system can also generate, store, and produce flood zone certificates according to the flood zone determination.