Geospatial Activity Reporting Using Polygonal Map Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current geolocation methods, such as GPS, are not accurate enough to distinguish between users within an area of interest and those merely near it, especially in non-circular areas like vehicle dealer lots, leading to false positives or negatives in tracking user behavior.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that uses polygonal map data to accurately determine if a user's mobile device is within a specific area of interest by comparing geospatial location data against polygonal boundaries, allowing for precise differentiation between users inside and outside the area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If circular area definition is used for geospatial location tracking, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the area of interest into multiple polygons instead of using a single circular boundary. Each polygon represents a distinct region with precise geometric boundaries, allowing accurate representation of irregularly shaped areas while maintaining ease of operation through structured data formats.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional circular boundaries to multi-dimensional polygonal representations with multiple vertices and edges. This dimensional complexity enables precise mapping of irregular areas while the system maintains operational simplicity through automated geometric calculations and comparisons.
2Device complexity
If point coordinate and radius method is used, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the area of interest into multiple polygonal segments rather than using a single circular boundary. This segmentation allows accurate representation of irregularly shaped areas like vehicle dealer lots, improving reliability by matching actual geographic boundaries while keeping device complexity manageable through efficient geometric algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters from simple radius-based circular boundaries to multi-vertex polygonal coordinates. This parameter transformation enables precise area definition for irregular shapes, improving reliability of location determination while the system manages complexity through standardized polygon data structures and comparison methods.
3Manufacturing precision
If simple distance measurement is used, then manufacturing precision is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the area of interest into multiple polygons with precise geometric boundaries, replacing simple distance-based circular boundaries. This segmentation enables accurate measurement of whether a device is within the actual area boundaries, improving measurement precision while maintaining manufacturing precision through standardized geometric data formats.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional distance measurements to multi-dimensional polygonal boundary definitions. This dimensional change allows precise determination of location within irregularly shaped areas by comparing device coordinates against multiple polygon edges and vertices, improving measurement precision while the system manages complexity through efficient geometric algorithms.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for distinguishing between user mobile device location data indicating user locations within an area of interest or merely near an area of interest are disclosed. User geospatial location data is obtained at user mobile devices (e.g., smartphones) upon the triggering event of a user action (e.g., visiting a web site or using an application on the user mobile device). The location data is stored and compared against polygonal map data accurately and precisely defining a map area of the area of interest. A map view may be generated by generating markers having different styles for user location data within or near the area of interest, which markers may then be overlaid on a map including a polygon representation of the area of interest. Such map view may be augmented by additional data and presented as a report including location and additional data for a plurality of users.