Method for graphical interaction with geographic databases for interactive broadcast presentation

A method for providing near real-time, random access, interactive presentation of weather information for a geographic region of interest, comprising:

• receiving geographically registered weather data at a database;
• randomly receiving a geographic position/region selection and a parameter selection;
• formulating one or more queries of said geographically registered weather data in response to said selections;
• interactively generating graphical representations of weather conditions for said region of interest in near real-time in response to results of said one or more queries;
• displaying said graphical representations of weather conditions for said region of interest;
• moving said graphical representations over said geographic region of interest using said input system;
• and
• dynamically changing a characteristic of said graphical representations based on a position of said graphical representations,
• wherein said graphical representations comprise avatars that can be positioned geographically at the geographic position/region selected by the input system,
• wherein each said avatar comprises a graphical representation of the weather for a position of said avatar,
• wherein said avatar can be dragged around a map displaying said geographic region of interest using said input system, and
• wherein a visual characteristic of said displayed avatar dynamically changes as said position of said avatar changes with respect to said geographic region of interest.

A system for providing random access, interactive presentations of geographic and temporal information for a region of interest, comprising:

• a database that receives and stores geographically registered data;
• an input system that interactively receives real time geographic inputs;
• a data processor that dynamically creates a query of said geographically registered data in substantially real-time in response to receipt of said real time geographic inputs;
• and
• a visualization system that generates graphical representations of said geographically registered data returned with results of said query for visual display, wherein said graphical representations of said results are displayed in substantially real-time;
• a cursor that can be moved about said geographic region of interest using said input system;
• and
• a map displaying said geographic region of interest;
• wherein visual characteristics of said displayed graphical representations dynamically change in substantially real time in response to changes in a geographic position of said cursor in relation to said geographic region of interest,
• wherein each said graphic representation can be moved around said map using said input system, wherein said graphic representation comprises a graphical representation of the weather for said geographic position of said graphic representation on said map,
• wherein said graphical representation of the weather further comprises a weather parameter, wherein a visual characteristic of said displayed weather parameter dynamically changes as said geographic position of said displayed weather parameter is interactively dragged over said map.

A method for providing near real-time, random access, interactive presentation of weather information for a geographic region of interest, comprising:

• receiving geographically registered weather data at a database;
• randomly receiving a geographic position/region selection and a parameter selection;
• formulating one or more queries of said geographically registered weather data in response to said selections;
• interactively generating graphical representations of weather conditions for said region of interest in near real-time in response to results of said one or more queries;
• displaying said graphical representations of weather conditions for said region of interest;
• moving said graphical representations over said geographic region of interest using said input system;
• and
• dynamically changing a characteristic of said graphical representations based on a geographic position of said graphical representations,
• wherein visual characteristics of said displayed graphical representations dynamically change in substantially real time in response to changes in a geographic position of said graphical representations in relation to said geographic region of interest,
• wherein each said graphic representation comprises a graphical representation of the weather for said geographic position of said graphic representation on said map,
• wherein said graphical representation of the weather further comprises a weather parameter, wherein a visual characteristic of said displayed weather parameter dynamically changes as said geographic position of said displayed weather parameter is interactively dragged over said map.