Alphanumeric Location Codes Resolve Coordinate Precision Trade-offs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current location identification methods, such as GPS coordinates and physical addresses, are unwieldy and imprecise, making it difficult to communicate and input specific locations, especially when informal or without a formal address, leading to confusion and frustration.
Innovation Solution
A software product and smartphone application that creates easy-to-use, alphanumeric codes for locations, allowing input through various means, including typing, scanning, or selecting on a map, with options for customization, sharing, and providing directions, which can be spoken or displayed as QR/bar codes, and offers public or private options.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS coordinates are used to identify locations, then precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to long strings of numbers being difficult to remember and communicate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates simplified alphanumeric codes that copy or represent the essential information of GPS coordinates in a more human-friendly format. These codes serve as symbolic representations that can be easily remembered and communicated while still precisely identifying the same location when decoded by GPS devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transforms the parameter representation of location data from raw GPS coordinates (decimal degrees) to a customized alphanumeric code format. This parameter change maintains the precision of location identification while fundamentally improving the ease of communication and memorization.
2Ease of operation
If physical addresses are used to identify locations, then ease of operation is improved for some locations, but precision deteriorates due to ambiguity and difficulty in input into GPS devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces alphanumeric codes as an intermediary between physical addresses and GPS coordinates. These codes serve as a mediator that can be easily input and remembered like addresses, yet precisely identify locations when processed by GPS devices, eliminating the ambiguity problem.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates coded representations that copy the location identification function of addresses while eliminating their weaknesses. These alphanumeric codes maintain the simplicity of address input while achieving the precision of coordinate-based systems.
3Ease of operation
If informal location identifiers are used, then ease of operation is improved for memorable names, but precision deteriorates significantly leading to confusion and miscommunication
Solution Approach 1:
The patent allows users to create alphanumeric codes that copy the memorability of informal identifiers while adding precise location data. Users can choose meaningful code names that are easy to remember, and these codes will precisely identify locations when decoded, combining the benefits of both approaches.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transforms informal location descriptions into structured alphanumeric codes that maintain user-friendly memorability while incorporating precise coordinate information, fundamentally changing the parameter representation from ambiguous text to precise coded data.
4Measurement precision
If standardized address formats are used, then precision is improved for GPS recognition, but ease of operation deteriorates due to strict formatting requirements and ambiguity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates alphanumeric codes that copy the GPS recognition accuracy of standardized addresses without requiring users to follow strict formatting rules. The codes can be input in flexible formats while still being precisely recognized by GPS devices when decoded.
Solution Approach 2:
The alphanumeric codes serve as an intermediary layer between user input and GPS device processing. Users input flexible, easy-to-type codes, and the system mediates by translating these into precise location data that GPS devices can recognize, eliminating the need for users to master complex address formatting rules.
Data Source
AI summary
A software product for easy-to-use naming, coding, and sharing of locations, including those with no addresses.