Geographic Data Structuring for KML Analysis

Solution Overview

Problem

Unstructured geographic data in mapping applications like Google Earth limits user ability to analyze, edit, and display geographic object items effectively, as users cannot easily select or update multiple items of the same type simultaneously.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for geographic data structuring and analysis that involves parsing geographic objects into groups, assigning attributes, and rendering them in relation to geospatial topology information, allowing for analysis and editing of attributes, and displaying dialog boxes for editing and adding attributes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If geographic objects are stored in unstructured format (KML files), then the system can provide quick access to geographic object items, but the user cannot easily perform analysis, editing, and spatial display operations on multiple items of the same type simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser ability to perform analysis and editing operationsVSAvoiddata structure organization

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments geographic objects by creating distinct data structures for different object types (points, lines, polygons, images, tours) within the KML file hierarchy. This segmentation allows users to selectively access and operate on specific types of geographic objects while maintaining the overall unstructured KML format, thereby improving ease of operation without requiring complete structural reorganization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary processing layer that parses KML files and creates structured representations of geographic objects in memory. This intermediary structure enables batch operations and analysis on multiple items of the same type while the system maintains compatibility with the original unstructured KML format, resolving the contradiction between operational ease and structural complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If geographic object items are mixed together in folders without structured format, then the system can store diverse geographic features, but the user cannot easily select all geographic object items of the same type for simultaneous updates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to store diverse geographic featuresVSAvoidefficiency of updating multiple items

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments geographic objects by creating distinct data structures for different object types (points, lines, polygons, images, tours) within the KML file hierarchy. This segmentation allows users to selectively access and operate on specific types of geographic objects while maintaining the overall unstructured KML format, thereby improving ease of operation without requiring complete structural reorganization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal data structure framework that can handle multiple types of geographic objects (points, lines, polygons, images, tours) through a common parsing and organization mechanism. This universal approach maintains adaptability to store diverse features while enabling efficient batch operations through type-based grouping, thus improving productivity without sacrificing versatility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of manufacture

If unstructured KML format is used, then the system can provide simple data loading capability, but the user cannot add new attributes to multiple geographic object items easily

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of data loadingVSAvoidability to add and edit attributes

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary processing layer that parses KML files and creates structured representations of geographic objects in memory. This intermediary structure enables batch operations and analysis on multiple items of the same type while the system maintains compatibility with the original unstructured KML format, resolving the contradiction between operational ease and structural complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary parsing and organization of geographic objects when the KML file is first loaded, creating an in-memory structured representation that groups objects by type and establishes attribute frameworks. This preliminary action enables efficient attribute addition and editing operations later without requiring repeated parsing or structural reorganization, thus improving ease of operation while maintaining simple data loading

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS8965906B1Geographic data structuring and analysis

Publication Date: 2015.02.24 LEIDOS INC

AI summary

Geographic data structuring and analysis is described. In one embodiment, a method for geographic data structuring and analysis is described, including parsing a set of geographic objects into groups of geographic objects, and assigning one or more attributes to the parsed geographic objects. The method may further include accessing a database of geographic object feature data and assigning certain features to certain attributes of the geographic objects, rendering one or more of the geographic objects in relation to geospatial topology information, and analyzing the rendered geographic objects. In certain aspects, systems and methods described herein provide functions attributable to Geographic Information Systems using rendering processors and engines that would otherwise be unable to achieve such functions.