Identification, storage and display of land data on a website

Abstract

Disclosed is a land website that provides a personalized database on which data can be stored, retrieved, customized and communicated (e.g., by e-mail) relating to a particular piece of property. The database can be accessible via a password and a security code over the Internet and may be encrypted for transmission. Land websites can be established that contain image data, map libraries, virtual tours, legal descriptions, title information, e-documents, actual pictures of property and various other information. Unique 3-D imaging of composite images can be provided on the land website as well as fly-around composite 3-D images. The land website provides a unique way of packaging information relating to a piece of land in a single, accessible location. A boundary applet tool is provided on the land website portal that allows a user to simply and easily draw boundaries around the property of interest and then submit an order for more detailed information about the property of interest. Various map data and image data are provided to assist the user in drawing the boundaries. Acreage amounts are automatically calculated based upon the size and area drawn by the user. Properties of interest can be easily accessed by a global coordinate system or by searching on map data that is provided on a wide range of scales.

1 . A method of generating a personalized land website at a dedicated Internet accessible location having a dedicated uniform resource locator address (URL) address on the Internet, said personalized land website dedicated to providing a variety of different types of information relating to a selected area of land at said dedicated URL address that is accessible to users of the Internet comprising:
 creating said dedicated Internet accessible location for said land website that is accessible by users of the Internet at said dedicated URL address for storage of said variety of information relating to said selected area of land;   providing map data over the Internet that is stored at said dedicated Internet accessible location;   drawing a boundary at least partially around said selected area of land using a boundary drawing tool;   providing photographic data relating to said selected area of land; and   storing said map data and said photographic data on said personalized land website at said dedicated Internet accessible location which is located at said dedicated URL address.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 protecting said storage areas by providing separate security codes for said storage area, and limiting access to said storage areas by controlling distribution of said security codes.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  further comprising:
 providing additional storage areas for storing textual information relating to said selected area of land.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said photographic data includes satellite image data relating to said selected area of land. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3  further comprising:
 providing image modification tools to allow modification of said map data and said photographic data.