Suggestion: Static Maps API short path delta encoding

For paths, the first point in the path is the reference, and
subsequent points are offset from the previous point.

Could a map reference point be set (or default to the first point)
that all paths are offset from?

eg.

http://maps.google.com/maps/api/staticmap?size=640x640&maptype=terrain&sensor=false&path=enc:x_%60kEe%60~o[%7Capk@&path=dnc:v%7D%60kEgqjq[%7D%60pk@

enc: as currently implemented.
dnc: first point is delta from either first point in enc or the last
point of the previous path.

Option: to maximise paths adopt a similar format as markers where a
pipe (|) separates multiple paths where the first point of each path
is an offset from the last point of the previous path.

Path attributes could be changes by preceding the path with the new
attribute.

eg.

http://maps.google.com/maps/api/staticmap?size=640x640&maptype=terrain&sensor=false&path=enc:x_%60kEe%60~o[%7Capk@|v%7D%60kEgqjq[%7D%60pk@|...|color:red|...|

Benifits:

1. for short paths, the enc: strings will be shorter on local maps.
2. for maps with lots of paths, the enc: strings will be shorter
allowing more paths. eg. lots of point-to-point paths.
3. saves at least 10 bytes (&path=enc:) per path as well as using
delta encoding to shorten point references.
4. The path encoding code can probably be mostly re-used

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