Geographic Information System with Time-Series Data Retrieval

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional geographic information systems struggle to retrieve and manage data for buildings and landmarks that have changed or disappeared over time, as they primarily focus on latest data, making it difficult to access historical configurations and attributes without specific time references.

Innovation Solution

A geographic information system that stores map data with time information, allowing retrieval of previous configurations and attributes by correlating graphic configuration data with attribute data using positional and time information, enabling the retrieval of buildings and tenants that existed in specific time periods.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If map data is updated to the latest version, then data currency is improved, but historical data is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata currencyVSAvoidhistorical data
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a time-series data storage structure where historical map data and attribute data are nested within a temporal framework. Each data version is preserved with its corresponding timestamp, allowing the system to store multiple historical states within the database structure while maintaining access to the latest data for current operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adds a time dimension to the traditional map data structure by incorporating timestamp fields and version control mechanisms. This transforms the data model from a static, single-state representation to a dynamic, multi-state temporal structure, enabling retrieval of historical configurations without compromising the availability of current data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Quantity of substance

If only latest attribute data is stored, then storage efficiency is improved, but retrieval of previous attributes becomes impossible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata storage volumeVSAvoidprevious attribute data
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by automatically capturing and storing attribute data at the moment of each update, rather than overwriting previous versions. The system proactively preserves historical attribute states with timestamp markers, enabling future retrieval without requiring additional storage actions when historical data is needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of data persistence by introducing version control and timestamp fields to the attribute data structure. Instead of storing only the latest attribute values, the system stores multiple versions with temporal metadata, transforming the storage model from a single-state to a multi-state representation that maintains data history.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If time-series data is stored for all objects, then retrieval capability is improved, but data complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveretrieval capabilityVSAvoiddata management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the time-series data management into distinct functional modules: data capture with timestamping, versioned storage, and temporal query processing. This modular approach allows the system to implement comprehensive historical tracking without creating a monolithic complex structure, as each module handles specific aspects of temporal data management independently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS8359324B2Geographic information system
Publication Date: 2013.01.22 HITACHI LTD
  • US8359324B2 patent drawing
  • US8359324B2 patent drawing
  • US8359324B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Provided is a geographic information system using map data including configuration data provided with time information and attribute data corresponding to an attribute of an object contained in the map data, including an information import module for receiving an input of a geographic area of an object to be retrieved and a search key; a map retrieval module for extracting configuration data, for which the input geographic area of the object to be retrieved and an area represented by the configuration data at least partially overlap each other, from the map data; a correlation module for correlating the configuration data with the attribute data identical with the input search key, for which the area represented by the extracted configuration data overlaps the positional information, according to each of the time information provided to the configuration data and to the attribute data; and an output module for outputting the correlated data.