Geographic Boundary Estimation via Birth Location Probability Density

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for determining geographic boundaries for genetic communities are manual, costly, complex, and prone to human error and subjectivity, making it difficult to efficiently and accurately identify statistically significant birth locations associated with a community.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method that defines a community, receives birth location data for community members, determines likelihood metrics for birth locations, identifies enriched birth locations using statistical tests, and generates an estimated geographic boundary based on the probability density of these locations, which can be presented in a graphical user interface overlaying a map.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual methods are used to determine geographic boundaries for genetic communities, then the boundaries can be drawn based on expert knowledge, but the process becomes costly, complex, and prone to human error

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of geographic boundary determinationVSAvoidcomplexity of boundary determination process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of drawing geographic boundaries with an automated computer-implemented system. The system uses algorithms to process birth location data, calculate probability density functions, and automatically generate geographic boundary polygons, eliminating the need for manual expert drawing while improving consistency and reducing errors

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service by allowing users to input birth location data and automatically receive generated geographic boundaries without requiring expert intervention. The automated processing pipeline includes data reception, probability density calculation, threshold application, and boundary generation, all performed by the system itself

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If automated methods are used to determine geographic boundaries, then costs and time are reduced, but statistical validity and accuracy may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespeed of boundary determinationVSAvoidstatistical significance of birth locations

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms by calculating probability density values for each birth location and comparing them against statistically determined thresholds. This feedback loop ensures that only locations meeting statistical significance criteria are included in the final boundary, maintaining measurement precision while enabling automated processing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes parameters by transforming raw birth location data into probability density values through mathematical functions. This parameter transformation allows the system to evaluate statistical significance objectively and automatically, maintaining precision while improving productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Area of stationary object

If all birth location data is processed to determine community boundaries, then comprehensive coverage is achieved, but computational complexity increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoverage area of geographic boundaryVSAvoidcomputational complexity of processing

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies partial action by processing birth location data selectively based on probability density thresholds. Rather than uniformly processing all data points with equal computational resources, the system identifies and focuses on locations that meet statistical significance criteria, reducing overall computational complexity while maintaining comprehensive coverage of relevant areas

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS20250139859A1Graphical user interface for presenting geographic boundary estimation

Publication Date: 2025.05.01 ANCESTRY COM DNA LLC

AI summary

Disclosed are systems, computer-program products, and computer-implemented methods for the automatic estimation of geographic boundaries. Implementations of the foregoing may be useful for automatedly determining the geographic boundary of a community. In some embodiments, a computing device may receive birth location data related to the community. Enriched birth locations for the community may be determined based on likelihood metrics. An estimated geographic boundary of the community may be determined. The estimated geographic boundary may correspond to a probability density of the enriched birth locations represented using the geographical coordinates. A graphical user interface may present a map and the estimated geographic boundary of the community overlaying the map.