Location Point Determination for Digital Maps

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for assigning location points to named areas in digital maps are manual, costly, incomplete, and prone to errors, limiting the number of areas that can be processed and leading to mis-navigation due to subjective selection and the use of inappropriate navigation destinations.

Innovation Solution

A location point determination apparatus that automatically selects a geographic feature as a reference centre point within a named area using proximity calculations based on straight-line distance, driving distance, or walking time, and evaluates attributes like valence and feature class to ensure accurate and flexible assignment of navigation destinations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual assignment of navigation destinations is used, then location points can be assigned with human judgment, but the process is expensive, time-consuming, and limited in scope

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocation point assignment accuracyVSAvoidnumber of named areas processed
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables automatic self-service assignment of navigation destinations by having the computer system autonomously evaluate geographic features, calculate proximity metrics, and select optimal location points without requiring manual human intervention for each named area

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses multiple configurable parameters including proximity calculations (straight-line distance, driving distance, walking time), valence ratings, and feature class weights that can be adjusted to optimize both accuracy and processing efficiency for different application scenarios

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If navigation destinations from other named areas with the same name are reused, then cost is reduced, but mis-navigation occurs due to incorrect location assignment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegeneration costVSAvoidnavigation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies local quality assessment by evaluating the specific characteristics of each geographic feature within its local context, including its proximity to the named area boundary, its valence (number of connecting roads), and its feature class, ensuring that the selected location point is appropriate for that specific location rather than reusing generic locations from elsewhere

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces the mechanical process of manual verification and judgment with automated computational methods, using algorithms to calculate proximity metrics, evaluate geographic features, and determine optimal location points based on objective criteria rather than subjective human assessment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If vehicular navigation context is used for all named areas, then navigation destinations can be generated efficiently, but the locations are inappropriate for pedestrian or other navigation types

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenavigation destination generation efficiencyVSAvoidnavigation type flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements dynamic adaptability by allowing the selection criteria and proximity calculations to be adjusted based on the intended navigation type, enabling the same system to optimize for vehicular routes, pedestrian walking paths, or other navigation contexts as needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system achieves multi-functionality by designing a universal framework that can serve multiple navigation types (vehicular, pedestrian, cycling, etc.) through configurable parameters and flexible proximity calculations that adapt to different movement modes and requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2427727B1Location point determination apparatus, map generation system, navigation apparatus and method of determining a location point
Publication Date: 2019.02.20 TOMTOM GLOBAL CONTENT
  • EP2427727B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2427727B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2427727B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A location point determination apparatus comprises a geographic feature harvesting module (202) arranged to access and collect, when in use, geographic feature information associated with a predetermined named area datum. The apparatus also comprises a data assessment module (208) arranged to receive the geographic feature information collected by the geographic feature harvesting module and to evaluate from the geographic feature information collected in respect of at least one attribute of each geographic feature associated with the geographic feature information. The apparatus further comprises a selection module (210) arranged to select a geographic feature from the geographic features evaluated in accordance with a predetermined criterion associated with the evaluation of the geographic feature information.