Geocoding System Positional Accuracy Offset Calculation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current geocoding methods lack the ability to provide positional accuracy indicators, particularly in determining the relative position of a geocoded location with respect to parcel, street line, or boundary polygons, which is crucial for risk assessment and precision in applications like insurance.
Innovation Solution
An automated computer geocoding system that calculates an offset value based on geographic characteristics, such as diagonal distance across a parcel, street segment length, or geographic region, to provide geocoded coordinates with enhanced positional accuracy by selecting the highest resolution dataset matching the input address.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional geocoding methods are used to match addresses to geographic datasets, then geocoding coverage is achieved, but positional accuracy indicators are not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the geocoding process into multiple precision levels (point level, street level, geographic level) and provides appropriate offset values for each level. This segmentation allows the system to deliver positional accuracy information without requiring a complete overhaul of the geocoding methodology.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the output parameters of the geocoding system by adding offset values (distance, bearing, quadrant) to indicate positional accuracy. This parameter enhancement allows users to understand the precision of geocoded locations without altering the core geocoding matching process.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple geographic datasets are maintained at different resolution levels, then geocoding flexibility is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The geographic data is segmented into three distinct levels (point level with parcel data, street level with segment data, geographic level with region data). This segmentation allows the system to maintain multiple resolution levels while providing a structured approach to managing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The geocoding system is designed to universally handle multiple data types and resolution levels through a unified offset calculation framework. The same basic process (match address, determine dataset level, calculate offset) applies across all three geographic levels, reducing operational complexity despite data diversity.
3Measurement precision
If offset values are calculated for all geocoded addresses, then positional accuracy information is provided, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
Offset calculation parameters (dataset level, geographic characteristics) are determined during the geocoding matching process itself, before the actual offset computation. This preliminary determination of which offset methodology to use streamlines the overall processing by avoiding iterative calculations.
Solution Approach 2:
The offset calculation methodology is tailored to the local characteristics of each geographic dataset level. Point level data uses parcel diagonal distance, street level uses segment length, and geographic level uses region diagonal distance. This localized approach optimizes processing by applying the simplest appropriate calculation method for each case.
Data Source
AI summary
An automated computer geocoding system and method is described having a plurality of geographic datasets stored in a computer memory. The geographic datasets include at least one point level dataset, street level dataset, and geographic level dataset. As output, geocoded data is provided with positional accuracy indicators. In a first step, an address to be geocoded is received by the system. The system determines whether corresponding geocode data exists in one or more of the geographic datasets. A geographic dataset is selected that provides a highest level of resolution and that also includes corresponding geocode data for the address. A geocoded coordinate for the address is output, as found in the geographic dataset that was selected. An offset value for the geocoded coordinate is calculated and output with the coordinates. The offset value is determined as a function of geographic characteristics of the geographic dataset that was selected.