# How to Map Physical Locations to Human-Friendly Web Addresses > A system that assigns easy-to-read web domain names to specific geographic areas on a map, making it easier to search, own, and trade location-based digital data. - **Patent:** US 12299012 - **Original title:** System and method for location domain name service - **Owner:** Unl Network BV - **Granted:** 2025 - **Status:** Active - **Times cited:** 0 - **Field:** software, ai_ml, telecommunications, ecommerce ## What it does This system creates a bridge between complex geographic coordinates and simple web addresses. It takes groups of pixels on a map—represented by technical 'geohashes'—and assigns them a human-readable domain name, like 'park.city'. It uses a hierarchical structure where sub-domains represent smaller areas within a larger location cluster. The system also includes a compression method to store these large lists of geographic data efficiently and uses blockchain technology to ensure that each domain name is unique and can be legally owned or traded. ## What it does NOT cover - Does not cover traditional GPS navigation systems that do not use a domain-name-based hierarchy. - Does not cover raw geohashing techniques that lack the specific hierarchical domain-name mapping described. - Does not cover general-purpose blockchain smart contracts that are not specifically tied to location-based domain mapping. ## The clever bit The system treats geographic space like a website URL structure, allowing developers to use familiar DNS-style logic to query and manage physical locations, while using blockchain to solve the 'who owns this square of land' problem. ## Real-world examples 1. Digital real estate platforms 2. Location-based augmented reality games 3. Decentralized mapping services ## Why it matters As digital maps become more interactive and tied to virtual economies, finding a way to 'own' or easily reference a piece of the real world is becoming a business priority. This patent provides a framework for creating a decentralized registry for physical space, which is essential for companies building location-based augmented reality or digital real estate platforms. ## Frequently asked questions ### What does How to Map Physical Locations to Human-Friendly Web Addresses cover? A system that assigns easy-to-read web domain names to specific geographic areas on a map, making it easier to search, own, and trade location-based digital data. ### Who owns patent US 12299012? Unl Network BV owns this patent, granted in 2025. ### When does this patent expire? This patent is expected to expire on May 13, 2045, when the invention enters the public domain. ### What problem does this patent solve? As digital maps become more interactive and tied to virtual economies, finding a way to 'own' or easily reference a piece of the real world is becoming a business priority. This patent provides a framework for creating a decentralized registry for physical space, which is essential for companies building location-based augmented reality or digital real estate platforms. ### What does this patent NOT cover? Does not cover traditional GPS navigation systems that do not use a domain-name-based hierarchy. **Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12299012/superdraco-engines **Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/US12299012 --- _Source: PatentBrief — https://patentbrief.org. Patent facts are from public records; the plain-English explanation is PatentBrief's._ ## Related patents Semantically similar inventions in the PatentBrief corpus: - [How Distributed Servers Find Data Using Location Pointers](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/7233978/method-and-apparatus-for-managing-location-information-in-a-network-separate-from-the-data-to-which-the-location-information-pertains) — A system that uses a network of specialized servers to track where specific data is located, allowing computers to find information by asking a server for its address rather than searching every machine. - [How Digital Maps Are Built From Small Image Pieces](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/7158878/google-maps-directions) — Google's 2007 patent on how to assemble small map images, called tiles, into a larger map view on your device, enabling smooth zooming and panning. - [How Apps Automatically Connect Friends Based on Their Current Location](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/9154561/facebook-pages) — A system that automatically invites people to a group chat when they enter a specific geographic area defined by a friend's mobile device. - [How Nextdoor Verifies Neighbors and Limits Online Social Circles](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/8775328/facebook-graph-search) — A patent describing a system for a private, location-based social network that verifies users' home addresses to restrict communications to people living in the same neighborhood. - [How Amazon Delivers Content Faster Using Local Servers](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/9332078/facebook-memories) — Amazon's 2016 patent describes a system for breaking down digital content into smaller pieces and storing them on servers located near users to speed up downloads and reduce network traffic.