Geographic Data Identification Using Parent and Distance Metrics

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Solution Overview

Problem

Identifying and visualizing geographic data within datasets is challenging, especially when metadata, unambiguous labels, or clear context are absent, leading to difficulties in distinguishing geographic data from non-geographic data, particularly at lower levels of the geographic hierarchy such as cities or counties.

Innovation Solution

A method that determines the likelihood of candidate data elements being geographic by analyzing the best parent, additional concepts associated with the elements, and average distance between them, using metrics such as coverage and distance to accurately identify and visualize geographic data on a map.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If geographic data is uploaded as CSV file without metadata or unambiguous labels, then data processing flexibility is improved, but difficulty in identifying geographic data increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata processing flexibilityVSAvoiddifficulty in identifying geographic data

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically analyzing uploaded data to identify geographic elements without requiring user-provided metadata or labels. The analysis module autonomously determines whether data represents geographic information by examining data characteristics, patterns, and contextual relationships within the dataset.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

An intermediary analysis module is introduced between data upload and visualization functions. This module acts as a mediator that automatically identifies geographic data elements within uploaded datasets, bridging the gap between raw data and geographic visualization without requiring explicit user labeling or metadata.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If data elements are identified as geographic based on simple criteria, then identification speed is improved, but false positives increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveidentification speedVSAvoidfalse positives

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The identification process is segmented into multiple independent analysis stages: initial geographic element identification, parent-child relationship analysis, geographic hierarchy construction, and validation. Each stage processes specific aspects of the data with targeted criteria, allowing comprehensive verification without requiring a single complex identification step.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where identification results from one analysis stage inform and refine subsequent stages. The parent-child relationship analysis provides feedback on identified geographic elements, and the geographic hierarchy construction validates and adjusts earlier identifications, continuously reducing false positives through iterative refinement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS11138244B2Detection and visualization of geographic data

Publication Date: 2021.10.05 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION

AI summary

Identifying and visualizing geographic data includes obtaining a set of data including candidate geographic data elements. Metrics are determined based on two or more of: a best parent for the candidate geographic data elements; additional concepts associated with the candidate geographic data elements; and an average distance between the candidate geographic data elements. Then, the candidate geographic data elements are identified as geographic based on the metrics and a map is generated displaying the candidate geographic data elements identified as geographic.