Automated Cartographic Feature Coding and Verification

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Location-based service providers face challenges in accurately and efficiently coding and verifying human settlement areas and other non-uniform cartographic features in maps, as current methods rely on manual processes that are time-consuming and prone to errors, and require significant computational resources.

Innovation Solution

A system that automates the coding process by receiving data points indicative of cartographic features, generating polygon data points and spider web models, merging these with imagery data to create updated polygon structure data points, and storing them in a map database, allowing for accurate representation and updating of settlement areas and other features.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual processes are used to extract and code human settlement feature data from image data, then accuracy can be maintained through human verification, but the process becomes time-consuming and labor-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of cartographic feature codingVSAvoidtime required for manual creation of cartographic feature polygons

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables automatic self-coding of cartographic features by processing image data through algorithms that generate polygon data points and spider web models without requiring manual human intervention for each feature, thereby reducing time consumption while maintaining accuracy through automated verification mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Manual mechanical processes of drawing and verifying polygons are replaced with automated computational systems that use image data, polygon data points, and spider web models to generate and validate cartographic features automatically, eliminating the need for manual human labor in the coding process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If manual verification processes are implemented to ensure accuracy of coded features, then reliability improves, but device complexity and computational resources increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of cartographic feature dataVSAvoidcomplexity of automated coding and verification system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates automated feedback mechanisms where spider web models and polygon data points are generated, compared against image data, and iteratively refined to ensure accuracy, providing continuous verification without requiring complex manual intervention systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The automated coding system performs multiple functions including feature detection, polygon generation, verification, and validation within a single integrated process, reducing the need for separate complex verification systems while maintaining high reliability through multi-functional automated operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Loss of information

If existing cartographic features are updated frequently to reflect evolving human settlements, then data currency improves, but processing time and computational costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecurrency of map dataVSAvoidcomputational efficiency of updating processes

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by continuously monitoring and detecting changes in image data related to human settlements, preparing polygon data points and spider web models in advance, so that updates can be quickly applied when needed without extensive processing at the time of update

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system efficiently handles updates by changing parameters such as polygon coordinates, area measurements, and feature attributes based on detected changes in settlements, allowing rapid adaptation to evolving data without requiring complete reprocessing of entire datasets

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11885636B2Method, apparatus, and system for automatically coding and verifying human settlement cartographic features

Publication Date: 2024.01.30 HERE GLOBAL BV

AI summary

An approach is provided for automatically coding cartographic feature(s), e.g., human settlement(s). The approach involves receiving data point(s) associated with point location(s) and indicative of a cartographic feature. The approach also involves retrieving or generating a cartographic feature polygon corresponding to the cartographic feature based on the data point(s). The approach further involves generating a plurality of polygon data points that replicate the cartographic feature polygon, and/or a spider web model that represents the point location(s). The approach further involves retrieving imagery data depicting the cartographic feature based on the plurality of polygon data points and/or the spider web model. The approach further involves merging the data point(s), the plurality of polygon data points, and/or the imagery data to generate new or updated polygon structure data point(s) to represent the cartographic feature. The approach further involves storing the new or updated polygon structure data point(s) in a map database.