Geographic Feature Data Conflation for Map Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Combining precise location information with detailed metadata for geographic features in digital maps is challenging due to the differing strengths and weaknesses of available datasets, making it difficult to create comprehensive and accurate maps.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system that conflates data by establishing datasets describing geographic features, associating information features with geometry features, selecting corresponding features, and forming conflated data that incorporates the strengths of both datasets, using computational geometry and metadata to combine precise location information with detailed characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If datasets with high precision location information are used, then location accuracy is improved, but metadata completeness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple datasets with different strengths by establishing a conflation framework that combines precision location data from one dataset with comprehensive metadata from another dataset, creating a unified conflated dataset that achieves both high location accuracy and complete metadata
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary conflation process that acts as a mediator between datasets with different characteristics. This intermediary process matches geographic features across datasets and transfers attributes, enabling the combination of precision location information with comprehensive metadata without direct conflict
2Loss of information
If datasets with detailed metadata are used, then metadata completeness is improved, but location precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple datasets with different strengths by establishing a conflation framework that combines precision location data from one dataset with comprehensive metadata from another dataset, creating a unified conflated dataset that achieves both high location accuracy and complete metadata
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary conflation process that acts as a mediator between datasets with different characteristics. This intermediary process matches geographic features across datasets and transfers attributes, enabling the combination of precision location information with comprehensive metadata without direct conflict
3Loss of information
If multiple datasets are conflated to create comprehensive maps, then map completeness is improved, but data processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the conflation process into distinct operational steps: establishing datasets, associating geographic features, selecting corresponding features, conflating data, and storing results. This segmentation breaks down the complex task of merging multiple datasets into manageable, sequential operations that reduce overall processing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing the conflation framework and pre-processing datasets before the actual conflation operation. This includes preparing the association structures and selecting corresponding features in advance, which simplifies the main conflation process and reduces real-time processing complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A geometry dataset describing locations of geographic features with high precision and an information dataset describing locations of geographic features with low precision are established. The location of a geometry feature included in the geometry dataset is plotted in a geographic region and the locations of information features included in the information dataset are also plotted. A set of information features having plotted locations bounded by the location of the geometry feature is identified. An information feature in the set is selected based on a comparison of metadata of the geometry feature with metadata of the information feature. Data from the geometry feature and the selected information feature are conflated and the conflated data are stored. The conflated data are used for purposes including providing map data to users of clients.