HK1062728B - Information retrieval system and method employing spatially selective features - Google Patents

Description

Information acquisition system and method using spatial selection features

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to information acquisition systems, and more particularly to information acquisition systems and methods that employ spatially selective features.

Background

Although location is a fundamental and unified principle used by humans to organize their "spatial awareness" of the world, the internet still fails to provide high performance spatial search and acquisition capabilities.

Traditional ways of finding local content include: reading local newspapers, searching telephone yellow pages directories, listening to radio, noticing bulletin boards, and watching local television previews or advertisements. On today's internet, some local content can be found using "yellow pages" that list services, municipal content sites, local portals, and ISPs.

However, these services offer a limited geographical range and are mainly concentrated in metropolitan areas. While all of these content sites provide a useful informative component, what is needed is a way to provide a continuum of data throughout the world and across all categories. It would also be beneficial to enable the average user to add local content to these databases.

Today, finding local content quickly and easily on the internet is a laborious, cumbersome, and volatile experience. Internet users are often required to provide specific zip codes or other location information to conduct a search for local content.

Also, in order to find any particular local content, the user must enter a known geographic, postal, or street address to begin the search. This would prevent the user from performing a "real world" search in which one might not know the address or zip code. A system for finding local content anywhere within an international geographic area is not possible.

Current internet mapping and local search capabilities are limited to static data and limited geographic areas, such as a country, and do not provide an optimized geographic location search range for each record. Generally, a search on the internet is performed by selecting a predetermined type of information in a sub-category. The problem is that the size of the resulting search catalog often requires the user to conduct time-consuming searches through an infinite number of categories and/or a large number of unrelated results.

For many years, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have provided tools for generating, manipulating, and managing spatial data. GIS is widely used by government agencies and commercial data vendors to generate and maintain map data for use by location services. The vendor provides a street centerline data set that includes address and street name data, which is necessary for geocoding and routing applications. Location services incorporating GIS tools can deliver a wide range of spatial transactions in a meaningful way.

Some commercially available database management systems (DBMS) currently include basic spatial data management capabilities, providing limited support for location services. The DBMS is dedicated to storing and managing all types of data including geographical data, and is optimized for storing and retrieving data. Although many GIS rely on DBMS for this purpose, they are not competitive in terms of performance, flexibility and scalability because they do not directly access robust GIS at the time they are built.

The distribution of geographic information over the internet enables real-time display and integration of data from around the world. The natural expansion of traditional desktop GIS, internet mapping and related applications have been generalized by various sites that send maps to end users through browsers. However, drawing on the internet has been mainly conducted until now, and the capability of searching for actual information and adding new content is extremely low.

Computer-based mapping systems organize data and user interactions using a map paradigm. The core of such a system is that a map is generated and linked to a database containing relevant information. However, most desktop mapping systems have limited data management, spatial analysis, or customization capabilities.

Computer Aided Design (CAD) systems have been developed to produce designs and building plans. CAD systems require assembly of components with fixed characteristics to produce a monolithic structure. These system features rarely dictate how components can or should be assembled and include very limited analytical capabilities. Although some CAD systems have been developed to support maps, they generally have limited utility for managing and analyzing large geographic databases.

Remote sensing is the scientific technique of measuring the earth using sensors such as GPS receivers or cameras fixed to aircraft or satellites. These sensors collect data in the form of images and data streams and include specific capabilities for manipulating, analyzing, and visualizing these images.

In view of the foregoing, there is a need for an improved information acquisition system and method.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention provides an information acquisition method adopting space selection characteristics, which comprises the following steps: receiving a search request from a user, the search request defining a search area and user location information; automatically defining a minimum search area required for locating and obtaining a minimum specified number of search results; in a geocoding database comprising a plurality of records, each record being associated with a database record owner and comprising advertising information associated with the database record owner and each record having geolocation information comprising defined search area availability, records exceeding a defined minimum search area are indexed for the respective record; automatically searching and retrieving records in the database beginning at a specified point and expanding the availability of at least one record in a search area beyond the specified search area and automatically expanding the search until one or more records are located; generating a dynamic set of categories for presentation to a user; evaluating the records and automatically determining an appropriate default search area to ensure that search results are provided in all appropriate categories of the set of categories; and displaying the search result as table and graphic information on the display page, wherein the table information includes priority information, and wherein the table and graphic information are linked.

The method and system provided by the invention adopt the space selection characteristic to acquire information.

In one aspect of the present invention, there is provided: a roll-out map control for optimizing use of the limited display space; a viewer control to provide a panning function for a map; and a custom space driven directional control to display a list of routes on the map. In one aspect of the invention, a geo-enabled messaging and conferencing module is provided to apply spatial characteristics to each member of a conference or messaging service and to enable those members to selectively communicate with other members.

The invention eliminates the barrier of quickly and conveniently searching local content. The present invention solves the problem of requiring specific zip codes or other location information in order to conduct a search for local content by providing a simple 'click' input to initiate the search anywhere in the world. The present invention provides scalability and reliability, delivering comprehensive, targeted and customized geocoded local content to any wired or wireless internet device, depending on the user's actual or preferred location anywhere in the world.

Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of specific embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures.

Drawings

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 illustrates an overview of an information acquisition system employing spatially selective features in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates an overview of an information acquisition method employing spatially selective features in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows a user interface according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 shows an example of a micro map;

FIG. 5 illustrates wireless use of the application;

FIG. 6 is a simplified overview of a logical structure according to one embodiment of the present invention; and is

FIG. 7 is an overview of a system according to one embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description

The present invention is directed to an information acquisition system and method that employs spatially selective features. As shown in fig. 1, the system includes a search interface 10, a map interface 12, a results table interface 14, and a lasso tool 16 for selecting a search domain. As shown in fig. 2, the method includes providing a search interface 100, providing a map interface 102, providing a results table interface 104, and providing a lasso tool 106 for selecting a search area.

Search interface

The Polygon Search Module (PSM) is capable of defining and storing any geospatial polygon, including an unlimited number of 'edges' of the polygon defined by the applicable latitude and longitude coordinates of each 'edge'. PSM may be used to define a search area for any point within the polygon boundary.

The PSM includes an automatic summary engine (ACE) that generates a radial search area within which the polygon is a geospatial subset based on the current search location and search range, and then automatically deletes or 'clips' any results that lie outside the polygon, using a Dynamic Search Range Module (DSRM) as described below for expansion of the searchable area whenever a search based on a defined PSM is made. PSM extends the search algorithm of a standard radial search to any geospatial polygon, such as any region, state, or country.

The present invention includes the ability to generate maps according to a given longitude/latitude or city, zip code, state or country. Search results are provided in tabular form with linked maps, and with a platform that allows users to add information to a geographically referenced database. All information in the application's database should be associated with precise longitude and latitude or can be displayed on various measurable electronic maps on the internet.

A Dynamic Category Module (DCM) generates a set of dynamic categories to present to a user according to a current map setting. The DCM automatically identifies any non-occupancy categories for the current map settings. In addition, the DCM performs spatial counting of records within each qualified category encompassed by the current map setting. The user may thus be presented with a list of eligible categories relating to a particular map setting, and each eligible category in the tree structure is displayed with the number of active records contained within that category, where the number shown includes any 'sub' category records.

For the user's currently selected map settings, the DCM provides the basic advantage of presenting a manageable set of relevant categories to the end user, as opposed to a very large list of few relevant categories; thus enabling a very fast and efficient search. Whenever the user selects a new location to begin the search, the DSRM evaluates all data surrounding the particular location from a geospatial perspective and automatically determines the appropriate default search scope to provide search results for that location and scope in all appropriate categories.

In addition, DSRM will be used whenever a keyword search is invoked. Assuming that the relevant data exists somewhere in the geographic space, the DSRM ensures that the relevant results are returned. The DSRM ensures that the location of the closest search result set is the location specified by the user, regardless of the location and scope specified by the user to search initially.

Through automatic redirection of search requests issued by any internet search engine, an Internet Database Link Control Module (IDLCM) obtains database contents from any DBMS and automatically ensures access to information contained in the database through the internet. The IDLCM automatically directs search requests for any directory listing or category to the desired location and category/referenced local search result page via IDLCM result links displayed to users within the search engine result list. The IDLCM creates this functionality by automatically generating a collection of records with embedded mega-tags and other information that the database administrator wishes to access each record in the internet's collection of records.

The software automatically directs search requests of any internet search engine for any search related to the key or index value of the record from the internet link database. The IDLCM enables any search engine to generate an appropriate reference link to a desired database record so that the linked reference within the search engine results list can be automatically displayed. The reference links on the search engine results list themselves emanate from the search engine, which has scanned and indexed the automatically generated database engine stored by the IDLCM on a global resource locator (URL), and the collection of web pages dedicated to the target database and records. As an example of the use of this approach, a database of local content information may automatically provide all internet search engines in which end users are linked to relevant sites where local content information and appropriate GIS tools are available.

The map box represents where the search location, range, and result points are displayed and configured. The display of Lasoo provides an intuitive range ring on the map. Lasoo defines the spatially adjacent portion of the search and is a circle with a center (x, y) and radius r placed on the map. The system displays the results on the map as a set of separate 'points' that include features that accumulate overlapping results as one 'point', but when the user clicks on the 'point', the system enables the user to select from a pop-up window that displays records belonging to the 'point'.

In addition, the interface region provides important navigation and search criteria controls such as zoom controls, location finding or "place name index", range or Lasoo size controls, a viewfinder to fine tune the current location, 'center Lasoo' controls, 'place Lasoo' controls, and map panning controls. The search is conducted using a detailed and high quality worldwide map characterized by zoom levels up to the street level and a worldwide viewfinder providing worldwide city and location names. The present invention automatically links together a database of geocoded information with web pages of the associated internet while providing comprehensive search and retrieval of information from the database and web pages.

In one embodiment of the invention, the search query may be initiated by directly entering a keyword or by clicking on any of the category items. The search query may be performed by a user's keyword entry or by selecting from a customized ' clickable ' category tree. Only the category of occupancy appears. The search may be conducted within an information directory and/or a website.

For a particular set or category of records stored in a geo-location database, where each record has longitude and latitude attributes, an Automatic Range Determination Module (ARDM) automatically detects a minimum range (geospatial distance) that needs to be set in order to locate and obtain a minimum specified number of search results. A location with longitude and latitude settings is entered in the ARDM where the search is initiated.

An option within the DCM allows non-populated categories to be deleted from the category search tree or presented as "appearing grey" with another option for an unselected category if selected to retrieve a record for that category by automatically expanding the search range appropriately using the ARDM function.

In one embodiment of the invention, the search interface further comprises an Extended Range Records Module (ERRM) that provides geospatial indexing of records beyond the standard containment area and allows search and retrieval of such records beginning with a geospatial search of a point and availability of such records beyond the range of the standard search area.

Typically, the search is based on location and search range or distance. Such programs define local content searches for information such as stores and organizations located within a defined search area. The extended range attribute of any single record can be set and by using any location and range from 1 meter to worldwide, ERRM will ensure that records appear within a suitable geospatial search.

However, for search locations and ranges that do not contain a physical location associated with an information record, there is an important case where the information and/or record should be 'searchable'. For example, florist a may want to sell flowers to anyone who searches/lives within a 50 km radius of their florist location. If someone is 35 km from a florist and searches for a florist within a radius of 10 km, such a search will not contain florist a. If a person searches for a pet store within a 5 km range, but is not found, the present invention will automatically expand the search for that person until one or more records are found, or until a predetermined threshold is reached.

In one embodiment of the invention, a Dynamic Filter (DF) automatically detects a user's profile based on the user's preferences, the user's specified category filter types, and the category structure returned by the DCM. The category filter type is one of several pre-established subsets of the main category structure designed by the system designer to reflect a particular set of category interests. The DF ensures that all user settings and preferences are applied in DCM to generate a dynamic and fully customized set of categories for searching according to the map settings of the current user.

The parameters of the DSRM may be dynamically changed when the module is invoked to match the user preferences related to the categories of most interest. The DSRM parameters may be adjusted to specify a range limit and a minimum set of returned results. In addition, the user may create a number of "favorite folders" in which the current search that the user has performed may be documented in detail, including the retention of specific record result details, all of which may be used to automatically search for and retrieve relevant data in future search sessions.

By storing information about individual user preferences and previous selections, "Cookie" technology can be used to provide a powerful, more personalized experience. For example, the cookie may hold keyword or category search criteria and/or user search location information, enabling merchants to customize and target information and advertisements. The present invention enables easy customization of the drawing icons and/or prioritization of results to reflect the needs of specific commercials and sponsors. The customized results preferably reflect specific desired business needs, such as promotions for 'pop-up lists', spatial alerts, or limits for pay-per-view advertising.

In one embodiment of the invention, the search interface comprises a circle for representing an area providing relevant information. In one embodiment of the invention, circles of multiple colors of concentric circular rings placed equidistantly are provided, forming a "bull's eye" type target or "Lasoo". Each colored circle forms a compact geographically selected area that will increase in physical area as the radius increases. The results found in a particular query appear as points in these rings.

Map interface

A semi-transparent target (STT) is embedded in each map to provide a visual reference to the user that graphically outlines the search area that the user has selected and provides a visual reference of the plurality of result points that are automatically located on the map so that the user can easily visually determine their relative distance from the center of the search location and their distance from each other. The translucent approach to STT enables all underlying and overlying map details to be easily identified. The STT records the current geographic location of the device or the current geographic location selected by the user, as well as the currently selected or determined search range, to dynamically feed this data to other software objects.

The STT auto and dynamic positioning module (sttapi) is included to enable a user to click anywhere in the map display to dynamically reposition the STT to the point indicated by the mouse pointer. Sttapi also automatically repositions the STT when the user selects a new location from the place name index or selects a previously used location.

The resulting symbol is typically a point on the map that is evaluated using a Boundary Subset Module (BSM) to determine whether one or more of the resulting points will overlap, thereby causing visual clutter and compromising data communication with the user. If this happens, the combined optimizer will select some points to combine to eliminate the overlap phenomenon, and the resulting points will have a larger size to visually reflect that it represents more than one point.

Whenever the user clicks on an applicable record in the results list or the corresponding 'point' on the map, a detailed 'pop-up' page is provided for any result without changing the underlying map/results list display. The pop-up page comprises a street-level location map representing the precise location, address and contact information of the record; links to corresponding web pages in which applicable and other text and information may be added by the record owner.

The BSM parameters are fully adjustable to accommodate design parameters related to spacing requirements and aesthetic requirements. Since the entire module setup is recalculated at the time of mapping, panning, zooming and/or repositioning of the map data causes dynamic re-assessment of the location and size of the resulting points of the map.

As shown in FIG. 4, in one embodiment of the invention, a micro-drawing module (MMM) links CAD files or scanned images with geo-location controls and map-linking controls to provide a comprehensive view of the interior of buildings and/or high resolution maps of precise areas such as shopping malls, exhibition centers, marts, factories, and parking lots. The MMM enables the precise location of any object or location on the micro-map to be determined and displayed to the user. The MMM link control may incorporate the micro-map into a standard digital street level display so that the user has a seamless way to 'drill down' from the digital street map into the micro-map.

Additionally, a micro-map zoom/pan control is a zoom/pan control that enables zooming and panning within a micro-map to a standard digital map in a fully simulated manner. All map controls, such as zoom, pan, range, and position, use a unique roll-out feature, called a roll-out map control (RMC). When the user clicks on an applicable control, an expanded control feature list window appears to one side of the control. The user may then select from an expanded list of available features for the control. This technique optimizes the use of limited display space while providing a full set of extended features without the need to refresh the screen display, since the roll-out control and its embedded feature display list are available for download and immediate access from the home page surveyed by the control.

The viewfinder control provides the only way to glance at the map. The 'viewfinder' tool enables a user to glance at the main map by moving the viewfinder over a roll-out index map that is characterized by a geographic area that is much larger than that of the main map. The user moves the viewfinder by clicking on the desired new position of the viewfinder. While the viewfinder moves on the underlying index map, the main map in the map tiles refreshes to represent the new map as determined by the new position of the viewfinder control. The map 'viewfinder' tool lets the user glance at the main map by moving the viewfinder control over a roll-out index map that is characterized by a geographic area that is much larger than that of the main map.

Merely clicking with a mouse pointer on an applicable location on a map to specify a series of link points on the map, a Custom Space Driven Directions Module (CSDDM) enables the owner of a database record to record custom driven directions onto a map display at the street level or other zoom level. The series of linked points then become a 'route' on the map. These routes may then be rated according to type such as fastest, scenic or walking routes.

In addition, the CSDDM may cause the database record owner to add descriptive text to the adjacent text box; to interpret the route and add other useful end user information. The CSDDM can add any number of custom 'driving direction' routes to the map and store these custom routes using the applicable database records. In addition, the CSDDM also provides an end-user interface for selecting from a list of routes as shown.

In one embodiment of the invention, a geographic enabled communication and conference module (GMCM) is included that automatically applies spatial characteristics to each member of a conference or communication service and allows those members to selectively communicate with other members within the user's defined STT. In this way, the members can view the locations of all members on the map display, or any desired geographic subset of members, and select which communication to conduct based on the geographic space.

Result table interface

The Results Table Interface (RTI) displays search results in a table format. Each result found in the table is linked to a particular recording point on the map. The user checks the results by scrolling through records in the results table or by scrolling through recorded points on the map. Either procedure will result in a color 'hot link' between the plotted results and the tabulated results of the particular record. The display search generates both a list and a multipoint map format.

Any selected result records that appear in the search area on the map or 'Lasoo' appear in the results table below the map. The results table is color coded according to the colored lasso ring in which the resulting dots are found. These results are usually shown from closest to farthest from the Lasoo center. The results table is further characterized by symbolic representations related to each record in the table for additional information, distance range, list of radial distances from the center of Lasoo, expanded range records, directory/search category label, 'next' and 'back' table detection controls, hot link row click launch, hot link 'scroll' map highlight.

A Dynamic Search Results Update Module (DSRUM) is included for automatically generating updated search results according to the current location of the STT as the user moves or resizes STT controls within a map tile. DSRUM performs an automatic background update of the search results and automatically refreshes the search results list whenever the user places the STT in a new location or resizes the STT range.

In one embodiment of the invention, the user may sort the list according to several alternative criteria. The user may be allowed to categorize the search results by several criteria such as distance, category, and name.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the linked scroll map/list search result highlighting function provides the feature that when the user scrolls a result point on the map, or a result row on the result list, the result point or row will be highlighted. Whenever the user 'scrolls' the result row with a mouse pointer, the rollout thumbnail and information (RTMI) function will automatically generate a 'thumbnail' map and other textual information related to the result row and display that information to one side of the result row. This function operates in real time and is independent of the number of result rows in the result table. The thumbnail represents an accurate street level map associated with an address in the applicable results row.

The scrolling function may allow the user to visually identify the location of any results by 'scrolling' the results in the results list or by placing a pointer over the results 'point' on the map. The scrolled items are automatically highlighted by changing color simultaneously on the map and the results list. The scrolling, information expansion function automatically displays additional information for a result whenever the user scrolls the corresponding 'point' on the map or line in the result list. Additional information displayed to one side of the results list may include thumbnail street level maps and/or network link information.

As shown in fig. 5, in one embodiment of the present invention, the system/invention may also be used in a wireless environment. The GUI implementation will vary depending on the specifications and bandwidth of the wireless device. The map is incorporated into a device having a higher resolution display. Keyword searches and locations may be entered or both may be automatically determined by a link to a wire or using wireless location techniques. By using intersection locators, a given intersection may identify Lasoo or be available to resource-limited wireless devices using automatic location technology. In one embodiment of the invention, the wireless application may use the smart road IDs to return a short list of suitable intersections for the user to select the desired item. The results are displayed in a scrollable list, which is sorted by distance from the center of the Lasoo.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the present invention locally delivers targeted advertisements and information based on any particular location and/or demographic profile using a geo-location advertising service. In one embodiment of the invention, the invention may automatically store and retrieve user preference information, such as selected locations and search criteria, and may enable the user to modify preference data, dynamically filter categories not presented in the drawing area, and dynamically modify the category information representation according to a user-selectable filtering program. The present invention dynamically expands the searchable range of any individual record in a geocoded database, thereby allowing a user to automatically locate records that are outside their specified search range, but that have a logically local representation within the specified search range.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the present invention enables the owner of a database record to generate a date/time sensitive bulletin board 'comment' that is automatically displayed in the local content search results. A geocoded, searchable web page display is automatically provided for all merchants and organizations in all major national and worldwide markets. The record owner may be enabled to enhance the display characteristics as well as the content of their records within the geocoded database.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the present invention provides a seamless combination of wired and wireless capabilities, including automatic transfer and configuration of information to the wireless device, and automatic detection of wireless type devices. The seamless combination with the automatic location determination capabilities of the wireless device may automatically communicate location-specific results and information to the end-user. Automatically generating demographic profile data over any user-defined region of the world would greatly enhance direct marketing ability while maintaining an enhanced degree of privacy control.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the present invention provides a map navigation roll-out control that provides a reduced coverage area of the display area. Providing a user with a map function of a control may enable the user to enhance and update map information for private or public use. The present invention provides a map function and filter program that enables a user to select map display categories, such as topology, vegetation, or interest-driven decision.

The user can determine the desired search location without entering text, simply by clicking on the map or selecting from a drop-down list control. The present invention uses a single and simple search interface to search and find information records and their associated websites. The search is performed by advanced keyword combinations and provides the ability to perform 'multi-column' searches in which searches within the search area are performed automatically.

In a wireless embodiment of the present invention, the system further includes a Dynamic Location Sensing Automatic Search Module (DLSASM) for automatically reconfiguring the location of the user's STT on the wireless device when the user's location changes as it is transmitted on the wireless unit. The automatically relocated STT includes a refreshed set of characteristics and attributes generated from other features and modules.

In a wireless embodiment of the invention, a wireless autoconfiguration search module (WACSM) may allow a user to configure a local search engine to conform the user's wired desktop browser to the characteristics of the wireless device. In addition, the WACSM automatically downloads the configuration information and user search preferences to the wireless device whenever the user activates the wireless unit.

In one embodiment of the invention, the Spatial Information Favorites Module (SIFM) allows users to record their favorite search locations by having the system store the currently selected location on a map, or from a place name index, in order to facilitate local searches.

Adding new information to the internet is an ever cumbersome and daunting process for most internet users, and often requires payment. The present invention enables users, including private individuals, businesses and organizations, to add new content to the internet simply by clicking on a map and publishing their own information. Combined with this is the ability to have calendar and/or bulletin board features related to the entries.

The present invention includes a search solution that combines wired and wireless geospatial, including the capabilities of: the wireless device is automatically 'loaded' with data, activation and user preference information obtained and defined from the wired end. This enables users to employ both wired and wireless internet-enabled devices for geospatial searching. By using the client location capability of the present invention, the present invention is able to send targeted information to specific locations and demographic profiles regardless of how or where the client accesses the internet.

Fig. 6 shows a simplified overview of the logical structure of the system. The "geocoding service" is responsible for converting a conceptual location description, such as a street address, into an accurate latitude/longitude value, and thus can be used to form a mapping/search request centered on that value. The "drawing service" provides a list of points drawn on the background map according to their proximity to the point of interest and other attribute criteria, such as data category or similarity to a search string. The "Lasoo template engine" and appropriate templates are responsible for communicating the interactive interface, including drawing points against the background of the map image. Fig. 7 shows an overview of the system.

The present invention provides the ability to map and locally content in detail worldwide, including the unique ability to specify a dynamically adjustable search range for each individual geolocation record. The dynamic category/content screening capability of the present invention can individually present to an end user a subset of categories and content that are relevant to the user-specified search criteria and search location.

The invention enables the search engine to be automatically geographically located worldwide, enabling local content by virtue of the capabilities of the IDLCM. The present invention enables a user to insert and modify geocoded content in a worldwide internet searchable database and enables the user to specify an accurate search location without requiring address information. The present invention enables users to generate and promote advertising and information titles/notifications to targeted local audiences anywhere in the world. In an experiment, the system was able to search and find over 10,000 records spatially in less than 0.5 seconds, providing results very quickly.

The invention eliminates the barrier of quickly and conveniently searching local content. The present invention solves the problem of requiring specific zip codes or other location information, facilitating the search of local content to be performed by providing a simple 'click' input to initiate the search anywhere in the world. The present invention provides scalability and reliability, providing comprehensive, targeted and customizable geocoded local content to any wired or wireless internet device, depending on the user's actual or preferred location anywhere in the world.

Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein.

Claims (18)

1. An information acquisition method using spatially selective features, the method comprising:

receiving a search request from a user, the search request defining a search area and user location information;

automatically defining a minimum search area required for locating and obtaining a minimum specified number of search results;

in a geocoding database comprising a plurality of records, each record being associated with a database record owner and comprising advertising information associated with the database record owner and each record having geolocation information comprising defined search area availability, records exceeding a defined minimum search area are indexed for the respective record;

automatically searching and retrieving records in the database beginning at a specified point and, when no records are located within the specified search area, expanding the availability of at least one record in the search area beyond the specified search area and automatically expanding the search until one or more records are located;

generating a set of dynamic categories for presentation to a user;

evaluating the records and automatically determining an appropriate default search area to ensure that search results are provided in all appropriate categories of the set of categories; and

displaying the search result on a display page as table information and graphic information, wherein the table information includes priority information, and wherein the table information and the graphic information are linked.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein automatically expanding the search until one or more records are located comprises:

the search is automatically expanded until the number of records reaches a predetermined threshold.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a record update for the record from a database record owner; and

the record is updated in response to the received record update.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the search area comprises a geographic polygon.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving a search request comprises receiving at least one of a keyword search request, a category search request, a user click on a map display interface, an address location from a wireless device.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the search request includes a conceptual location description.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

converting the conceptual location description to longitude and latitude values for determining a geospatial distance from the search location.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a database search request from a database user;

detecting user-specific information associated with the database user; and

the search results are customized according to the user-specific information.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein detecting user-specific information comprises:

reading a cookie received with the search request;

the cookie is processed to obtain user-specific information.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein customizing search results comprises:

the search results are prioritized according to the commercial.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein customizing search results comprises:

the drawing icon is customized to represent the search result.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the graphical information comprises a search location on a displayed map, a determined geospatial distance, and a graphical representation of search results.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the graphical representation of the determined geospatial distance comprises a circle on a displayed map.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the graphical representation of the search result includes a point on the displayed map indicating a location of the search result, and the method further comprises:

determining whether one or more points overlap; and

at least two of the overlapping points are selected to combine into a single larger point to eliminate the overlap.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the geolocation information includes longitude and latitude coordinates.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the defined search area availability includes a specified distance extending radially from specified latitude and longitude coordinates, wherein the distance represents a range of addresses within which records may be located and retrieved.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein a user selects search results on a display page, the displaying further comprising:

displaying a pop-up, wherein the pop-up provides additional information related to the selected search result.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the linked tabular information and graphical information comprises:

the information is linked by color, by circular geometry, or a combination thereof.