Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention concern a way of using geographic-phonetic strings, such as modified geographic-phonetic strings, for constructing a geographic database for use with geographic applications.

Abstract: A method for performing a location search includes receiving a location search query, determining key words corresponding to the location search query, identifying one or more documents that correspond to the key words in the location search query, and providing to a client system information identifying at least one location corresponding to the one or more documents.

Abstract: A system and method for locating a product and associated information within a region utilizing a mobile application. Information such as location, cost, and productivity information with respect to the rendering device(s) can be stored in a database associated with a customer accessible unit. A mobile interface configured with a web browser can communicate with the database in order to locate an optimal product based on preferred criteria. A mobile application may include a progressive disclosure menu that provides quick access to productive print solutions and appropriate resources and contacts. The mobile interface can utilize the Global Positioning System to compare the current location to the closest location of optimal rendering device that meet the applied criterion.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing search results to a mobile computing device are provided herein. One exemplary method includes receiving a search request from the mobile computing device, where the search request includes location data identifying a location of the mobile computing device. If the search request includes an explicit search query, the method includes associating candidate search information derived from the explicit search query with the location identified by the location data of the search request. If the search request includes an explicit search query, the method also includes sending query-based search results to the mobile computing device. If the search request includes an implicit search query, the method includes sending location-based search results to the mobile computing device. The location-based search results are derived from candidate search information associated with the location identified by the location data.

Abstract: An efficient manner of performing an M-out-of-N partial matching search of indexed documents (e.g., web pages) is provided herein. More particularly, indexed words are arranged into a global location space (GLS), providing for respective occurrences of words in indexed documents being searched to have continuous locations on a one-dimensional GLS. Documents within the GLS are separated by end of document word marking boundaries between consecutive documents. The query words are then separated into an active set, comprising the left-most query words, and a non-active set. A partial matching operator transverses the GLS, applying active geometric constraints, in a sequential manner, to words in the active set. This causes shifting of the active set along the GLS to comprise M left-most query words. If a document satisfies constraints associated with M words in an active set, the document comprises at least M-out-of-N words.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to systems, methods, and computer storage media for geographically organizing the storage of data and hosted services in a distributed computing environment. An allocation constraint is utilized to identify and select a geo-region in which an affinity group that is comprised of a hosted service and/or data is to be physically stored. Additionally, a geo-domain within the geo-region is identified for hosting the hosted service and/or data of the affinity group. A stamp, such as a storage stamp or a computation stamp, is identified on the geo-domain for storing the hosted service and/or the data. The hosted service is stored in an identified computation stamp and the data is stored in an identified storage stamp. In an additional exemplary embodiment, the identification of a geo-domain involves analyzing resource information related to potential geo-domains within a geo-region.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for defining a globally-standardized system of addressing for parcels of land is disclosed. The system utilizes physical characteristics of land parcels to identify the unique address and location of said land parcels (herein also referred to as the NSE coordinates) in a global coordinate system. In a preferred embodiment, the geographical center of the land parcel is determined and used as the defining physical characteristic of the land parcel. That geographical center is mapped against the latitude and longitude system currently used as a standard to define positions on the Earth. This method provides an alternative to the various addressing conventions established by national, regional or local governmental entities. The method is adapted to execution on either a general purpose or special purpose computer system to transform physical characteristics of land parcels into useful address and location information and tangible display representations.

Abstract: Assignment of point level address geocodes to street networks include the steps of entering address data and collecting candidate point data records and segment data record matches for the entered address. Each point data record includes address elements and also includes a geocode. Each segment data record includes a centerline between segment record data points. A determination is made if there is at least one point data record match for the input address. The best point record match for the input address is selected when at least one point data record match is made. The address elements from the point record are compared to any collected segment data records. A determination is made of the best segment record match to the selected best point record and the best segment record match is selected.

Abstract: According to particular embodiments, a communications monitoring system includes agent servers that deploy automated agents into various group communications services and a central server that receives the event data collected by the automated agents using the unified communications protocol. The central server also transmits the event data and any alerts that were determined from the event data to operator interfaces according to operator profiles.

Abstract: A flat file data organization technique is used for storing and retrieving geospatially organized data. The invention reduces transfer time by transferring a few large files in lieu of a large number of small files. It also moves the process of locating a given data file away from the file system to a proprietary code base. Additionally, the invention simplifies database management by having quadtree packets generated on demand.

Abstract: Cartographic data is represented using polynomial splines. To improve representation accuracy and reduce storage requirements, a database storing data points (shape points and nodes) is converted into a database of spline control points. The spline control points are computed by fitting a polynomial spline to the geographic features using a least squares approximation. The control points associated with each geographic feature are stored in a computer-usable database. The geographic features can be displayed by computing the spline functions using the stored control points.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for identifying pages that can be authoritatively, to some confidence level or another, associated with a geographic location, and are provided for grouping documents such that authoritative location associations can be propagated from pages with higher location confidence to pages with lower location confidence. Pages might be identified with authoritative indicators, groups of pages identified including at least one addressed page and at least one unaddressed page, wherein an addressed page is a page having a higher confidence level than an unaddressed page, and at least one processing step performed that is location specific. The confidence level assigned to a page as part of the process represents the confidence that the page is associated with an identifiable geographic location.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating an optimized terrain database identify several regions, including test regions that are established from the identified regions. A first set of terrain data is received for a first test region. The first set of terrain data is compared to a second set of terrain data to determine a set of quality attributes. The quality attributes are used to determine a safety margin for the first test region. The safety margin is applied to other regions having the same or similar characteristics to the first test region. Safety margins are either generated for or applied to all other regions. All regions are then compiled into an area-wide terrain database, up to and including a worldwide database.

Abstract: A method for processing two different types of geographic address data sets to establish candidate matched data includes entering address data into the system and accessing a point level address data set. A determination is made if the point level data set contains an exact match to the entered address data. Any exact address data match from the point level data set is output. Candidate address data matches from the point level data set are saved when no exact match is determined as existing in the point level data set. A centerline address data set is accessed and a determination is made of candidate address data matches from the centerline address data set. Candidate address data from both the point level data set and the centerline data set are scored and matched. A system for geocoding and address hygiene includes a processing system with an input and an output system coupled to said processing system. A point level data set is coupled to the processing system.

Abstract: An information navigation system for supporting browsing of data which are linked mutually includes an starting point determination supporter, a browsing supporter, and a positioning supporter. The starting point determination supporter supports detection of first data being a starting point for an information navigation. The browsing supporter displays the first data and second data linked to the first data as in a virtual space, to allow a user to select data to be browsed next. The positioning supporter displays a current browsing position on a map which indicates a relation between all data.

Abstract: A multi-dimensional spatial index includes at least two dimensions that define physical boundaries of the features represented by the indexed data. In addition, the multi-dimensional spatial index includes at least one additional dimension that represents another property. The other property is an orthogonal, non-spatial property. The other property may be a property of the features represented by the indexed data or the other property may be a property of the data. The other property represented by the additional dimension may include: granularity, distance, altitude, scale bounds within which each spatial entity is significant, or other property. The multi-dimensional spatial index is applicable to the storage, retrieval, visualization and traversal of spatial data sets.

Abstract: A computer implemented method of generating an ordered list of geographical locations having similarities in preselected categories relative to a first geographical location.

Abstract: A system and process is presented that identifies nearby objects and/or points in relation to a base object or point. An object or point is nearby if it resides within a prescribed area around the base point. The identification is based on information accessed from a database of geometric data. The identification of nearby neighbors begins by dividing the geographic system defined by said geometric data into a plurality of zones. The zone in which each object or point resides and the zones intersected by the prescribed area are determined. The nearby objects and/or points of interest are then identified by initially considering only those that are identified as residing in the zones intersected by the prescribed area. The search for nearby neighbors can be further refined by limiting the objects and/or points considered to those with locations within the lateral extent and/or within the height of the prescribed area.