Abstract: A unique system, method, and user interface are provided that facilitate more efficient indexing and retrieval of images. In particular, the systems and methods involve annotating or geo-coding images with their location metadata. Geo-coded images can be displayed on a map and browsed or queried based on their location metadata. Images can be annotated one by one or in bulk to reduce repetitiveness and inconsistency among related images. More specifically, selected images can be dropped onto a map, thereby triggering a virtual marker to appear. The virtual marker facilitates pinpointing the precise location associated with the images on the map with a higher level of granularity. The system and method can also generate customized directions and include geo-coded images throughout to serve as visual landmarks. Privacy controls can be employed as well to control access and modification of the images.

Abstract: A unique system, method, and user interface are provided that involve an integration of map technology with social networks so that individuals can select members of these communities with which to communicate based at least in part on their location, thus enhancing the communication experience. This can be referred to as geo-based messaging. In particular, a member or user of the system and/or method can include his/her personal location information, for example, when joining an online community or social network. This location information can be employed to generate one or more maps that plot the locations of messages posted by community members. As a result, a user can readily visualize any other users or community members located at any selected distance from him/her or from any selected focal point.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system of multi-occupant structure in a geo-spatial environment are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes determining that a marker (e.g., associated with a profile of a user) is colliding with another marker simultaneously displayed in a map based on an overlap area of the marker with the another marker, automatically creating a group pointer that replaces the marker and the another marker on the map and generating a view of the marker and the another marker when a user (e.g., of the geo-spatial environment) selects the group pointer.

Abstract: A mechanism of rating, ranking and/or filtering landmarks located in a predefined geographic area is provided. More particularly, the subject mechanisms can facilitate rating landmarks and related criteria (e.g., points of interest (POI)) associated therewith. Thus, the mechanisms can facilitate intelligent rendering of landmark choices to users. The subject innovation facilitates rating the landmarks by analyzing items and entities in proximity to each landmark. A popularity index rating represents a sum of the number of POIs, number of commonly named entities and number of access routes to the landmark. Accordingly, this popularity index rating can allow users to rank, filter and sort landmarks in the order of popularity or interest thus maximizing available sightseeing time.

Abstract: Location position information of a mobile device utilizing Wi-Fi, FM, AM, television transmissions(s), other radio transmission(s), electromagnetic, acoustic, or other signals received from base stations or access points. The position information can be provided through a Web service and/or locally on a mobile user device. The position information can be provided with a certainty and/or uncertainty probability percentage or other perceivable means for the user to determine the expected accuracy of the location information. Also provided is a means for updating base station information to include newly detected base stations through information from a plurality of user devices, wherein each user device is given a reliance factor. User devices that have a low reliance factor are disregarded and/or scrutinized to determine accuracy prior to such information being utilized to update information. Functioning of the system can be improved through analysis of usage data and/or the additions to the database.

Abstract: Location position information of a mobile device utilizing Wi-Fi, FM, AM, television transmissions(s), other radio transmission(s), electromagnetic, acoustic, or other signals received from base stations or access points. The position information can be provided through a Web service and/or locally on a mobile user device. The position information can be provided with a certainty and/or uncertainty probability percentage or other perceivable means for the user to determine the expected accuracy of the location information. Also provided is a means for updating base station information to include newly detected base stations through information from a plurality of user devices, wherein each user device is given a reliance factor. User devices that have a low reliance factor are disregarded and/or scrutinized to determine accuracy prior to such information being utilized to update information. Functioning of the system can be improved through analysis of usage data and/or the additions to the database.

Abstract: Digital maps can be composed of a series of image tiles that are selected based on the context of the map to be presented. Independently hosted tiles can comprise additional details that can be added to the map. A manifest can be created that describes the layers of map details composed of such independently hosted tiles. Externally referable mechanisms can, based on the manifest and map context, select tiles, from among the independently hosted tiles, that correspond to map tiles being displayed to a user. Subsequently, the mechanisms can instruct a browser, as specified in the manifest, to combine the map tiles and the independently hosted tiles to generate a more detailed map. Alternatively, customized mechanisms can generate map detail tiles in real-time, based on an exported map context. Also, controls instantiated by the browser can render three-dimensional images based on the combined map tiles.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system of dispute resolution in a geo-spatial environment are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes providing a wiki interface such that users modify and add profiles of others prior to the profiles being claimed, permitting an initial claimant to control editability of a wiki portion of a selected profile when the initial claimant claims the selected profile, capturing what personally identifiable information the initial claimant is willing to submit if the selected profile is disputed, placing the selected profile in dispute when a disputing claimant challenges an ownership of the selected profile by the initial claimant, electing a dispute resolution process that communication a code through a direct mail mechanism to a physical address associated with the selected profile, and allocating the selected profile to one of the initial claimant and the disputing claimant based on entry of the code in the selected profile.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system of people and business search result optimization are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes providing a query prompt to a user to enter a search data, referencing a request of the user of a particular listing with a database and automatically creating a profile having seeded data determined through the request when the request does not have a matching record in the database. The method may further include geo-spatially mapping a location associated with the request when the request includes a location information that is in the database, simultaneously rendering a map with the profile having seeded data based on the geo-spatial mapping of the location associated with the request, creating a marker, visually representing the profile in the map and generating the marker with other markers indicating profiles of an adjacent business and residential listings to the location associated with the profile.

Abstract: A mechanism of ranking weblog or “blog” items is provided. More particularly, the subject ranking mechanisms can facilitate ranking blog feeds and blog items contained therein thus focusing and intelligently delivering content (e.g., blog items) to users. The subject innovation facilitates ranking the blog feeds and blog items by creating a context rank around each blog feed. The context rank represents a sum of a context weight, a track-back weight and a comment weight. Accordingly, this context rank can allow readers to sort blog items in the order of popularity or importance thus effectively reducing content noise.

Abstract: The subject disclosure pertains to systems and methods for processing input data provided in multiple formats to generate output data in a standardized, common format. To facilitate processing of the input data, a set of rules can be defined that describe processing for various types and formats of input data. The rules can be maintained separately from the processing component, such that the rules can be updated without necessitating modification of the processing component. Subsets of the rules can be retrieved and utilized to process specific input data. Errors within the input data can be identified and automatically corrected based upon previous input data sets. In addition, rules can be automatically generated based on previous input data and user feedback.

Abstract: The claimed subject matter provides a system and/or a method that facilitates providing an immerse view having at least one portion related to aerial view data and a disparate portion related to a first-person ground-level view. A receiver component can receive at least one of geographic data and an input. An interface component can generate an immersed view based on at least one of the geographic data and the input, the immersed view includes a first portion of aerial data and a second portion of a first-person perspective view corresponding to a location related to the aerial data.

Abstract: Provided is the ability for multiple users to dynamically interact and exchange real time information though utilization of a real time communication application and a mapping application. The multiple users can discover and share location specific information or exchange real time location information. Relevant information can be shared, such as points of interest, driving directions, annotations, etc. in a collaborative environment. Also provided is the ability to create a drawing or plan directly on the map in a collaborative manner.

Abstract: A unique system, method, and user interface are provided that facilitate more efficient indexing and retrieval of images. In particular, the systems and methods involve annotating or geo-coding images with their location metadata. Geo-coded images can be displayed on a map and browsed or queried based on their location metadata. Images can be annotated one by one or in bulk to reduce repetitiveness and inconsistency among related images. More specifically, selected images can be dropped onto a map, thereby triggering a virtual marker to appear. The virtual marker facilitates pinpointing the precise location associated with the images on the map with a higher level of granularity. The system and method can also generate customized directions and include geo-coded images throughout to serve as visual landmarks. Privacy controls can be employed as well to control access and modification of the images.

Abstract: A unique map generation system and method are provide that facilitates automatically detecting a user's (or user's device's) current location and generating at least one customized map view of a static location based on the current (dynamic) location of the user. Many portable and handheld devices have very small user interfaces and limited means of entering alphanumeric information. Network-based content such as web pages offer generic map views of a location of the content but without consideration of the user's location. Traditional systems require entry of the relevant data (e.g., address information) in order to obtain or generate a map view or directions. However, in the subject system, the user's location can be automatically detected and “entered” and a customized map view for this current location in relation to the content's location can be created—thus with minimal user input or action.

Abstract: The subject disclosure pertains to systems and methods for processing input data provided in multiple formats to generate output data in a standardized, common format. To facilitate processing of the input data, a set of rules can be defined that describe processing for various types and formats of input data. The rules can be maintained separately from the processing component, such that the rules can be updated without necessitating modification of the processing component. Subsets of the rules can be retrieved and utilized to process specific input data. Errors within the input data can be identified and automatically corrected based upon previous input data sets. In addition, rules can be automatically generated based on previous input data and user feedback.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system of multi-occupant structure in a geo-spatial environment are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes determining that a marker (e.g., associated with a profile of a user) is colliding with another marker simultaneously displayed in a map based on an overlap area of the marker with the another marker, automatically creating a group pointer that replaces the marker and the another marker on the map and generating a view of the marker and the another marker when a user (e.g., of the geo-spatial environment) selects the group pointer.

Abstract: A unique system, method, and user interface are provided that involve an integration of map technology with social networks so that individuals can select members of these communities with which to communicate based at least in part on their location, thus enhancing the communication experience. This can be referred to as geo-based messaging. In particular, a member or user of the system and/or method can include his/her personal location information, for example, when joining an online community or social network. This location information can be employed to generate one or more maps that plot the locations of messages posted by community members. As a result, a user can readily visualize any other users or community members located at any selected distance from him/her or from any selected focal point.

Abstract: A mechanism of ranking weblog or “blog” items is provided. More particularly, the subject ranking mechanisms can facilitate ranking blog feeds and blog items contained therein thus focusing and intelligently delivering content (e.g., blog items) to users. The subject innovation facilitates ranking the blog feeds and blog items by creating a context rank around each blog feed. The context rank represents a sum of a context weight, a track-back weight and a comment weight. Accordingly, this context rank can allow readers to sort blog items in the order of popularity or importance thus effectively reducing content noise.

Abstract: A mechanism of rating, ranking and/or filtering landmarks located in a predefined geographic area is provided. More particularly, the subject mechanisms can facilitate rating landmarks and related criteria (e.g., points of interest (POI)) associated therewith. Thus, the mechanisms can facilitate intelligent rendering of landmark choices to users. The subject innovation facilitates rating the landmarks by analyzing items and entities in proximity to each landmark. A popularity index rating represents a sum of the number of POIs, number of commonly named entities and number of access routes to the landmark. Accordingly, this popularity index rating can allow users to rank, filter and sort landmarks in the order of popularity or interest thus maximizing available sightseeing time.