[OSGeo-Discuss] Fw: Re: New Google Mapping Patent

[Ed McNierney]

Christopher -

TopoZone used a "web interface for batches of tiles" starting in 1999,
and it was not novel then, as it was very similar to the mechanism
Microsoft used in TerraServer in 1998.  TopoZone continued to use that
interface until 2003 when we switched to a MapServer-based
whole-map-in-one-custom-image approach.  We were happy to move away from
what we thought was an "antiquated" way of doing things!

     - Ed

Ed McNierney
President and Chief Mapmaker
TopoZone.com / Maps a la carte, Inc.
73 Princeton Street, Suite 305
North Chelmsford, MA  01863
ed at topozone.com
Phone: 978-251-4242
Fax: 978-251-1396

-----Original Message-----
From: mail_discuss-bounces at lists.osgeo.org
[mailto:mail_discuss-bounces at lists.osgeo.org] On Behalf Of Christopher
Schmidt
Sent: Tuesday, January 09, 2007 12:23 PM
To: OSGeo Foundation Discuss List
Subject: Re: [OSGeo-Discuss] Fw: Re: New Google Mapping Patent

On Tue, Jan 09, 2007 at 02:47:01PM -0200, Paulo Marcondes wrote:
> 2007/1/9, Mateusz Loskot <mateusz at loskot.net>:
> >Jo Walsh wrote:
> >>    * Visually-oriented driving directions in digital mapping system
> >>    * Combined map scale and measuring tool
> >
> >I don't know how to comment it. I'm in shock!
> >It seems there is no way to stop this "crazy" race of patents.
> >
> 
> I guess is up to the guys in the US to show prior art, at least they
> are in a position to file the relevant  docs.
> 
> Autodesk should be quite aware of that, since they have software in
that 
> niche.
> 
> 
> 
> Also, does not UMN Mapserver predates google on this?

I'm not aware of any web interface which sent requests for batches of
tiles before Google Maps. The ones I'm aware of now are:
 * OpenLayers, originally started working on around Where 2.0 1
 * ka-Map, started around the same time -- after February 2005 (patent)
 * MapGuide, I think, which has tile batch requests
 * I've heard info about ESRI's new stuff doing the same thing.

So, as far as the first claim of the patent that Google was granted 
("Digital Mapping Service" or whatever), I'm not aware of anything that
predates their patent application in Feb 2005. I certainly know that it
seemed novel to everyone when it came out. 

Regards,
-- 
Christopher Schmidt
Web Developer
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