Map Database Vector Segmentation for Address Interpolation Accuracy

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing map databases face significant interpolation errors when determining the location of specific addresses due to variations in building distributions along street blocks, particularly when using linear interpolation methods with potential postal addresses or non-uniform address distributions, leading to inaccuracies in navigation and geocoding applications.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of address sub-segments by projecting known address points onto address segment vectors and segmenting them when the distance between projection and interpolation points exceeds a threshold, allowing for improved interpolation accuracy without altering existing interpolation algorithms, thus enhancing geocoding and navigation capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If linear interpolation is used to determine address locations in map databases, then the process is simple and computationally efficient, but the positional accuracy deteriorates due to non-uniform building distributions and variations in real-world address spacing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomputational efficiencyVSAvoidpositional accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The address segment vector is divided into multiple sub-segment vectors based on projection points of known address points. This segmentation allows the system to use simple linear interpolation within each small sub-segment while maintaining overall accuracy, as the non-uniform distribution variations are localized to smaller ranges where linear approximation is more valid.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different sub-segments are created to accommodate local variations in address distribution patterns. Each sub-segment captures the local characteristics of address spacing, allowing the interpolation to adapt to local conditions rather than applying a uniform approach across the entire address segment, thereby improving positional accuracy while maintaining computational efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Measurement precision

If address segment vectors are segmented into sub-segments to improve interpolation accuracy, then the positional accuracy improves, but the data structure complexity and storage requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterpolation accuracyVSAvoiddata structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The segmented sub-segment vectors maintain the same data structure and interface as the original address segment vector, allowing existing interpolation algorithms to work unchanged. The segmentation is transparent to the interpolation process, providing improved accuracy without requiring changes to the interpolation logic or increasing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If potential postal addresses are used to model address ranges, then the address coverage is comprehensive, but the interpolation error increases when actual building locations do not match the modeled ranges

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaddress coverageVSAvoidinterpolation error

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

Known address points are projected onto the address segment vector to create projection points before interpolation occurs. This preliminary action establishes reference points that anchor the interpolation process to actual building locations, allowing the system to maintain comprehensive address coverage while reducing interpolation errors by using these pre-established reference points to guide the interpolation within each sub-segment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS8655590B2Map database having vectors for determining destinations, and vector determination method

Publication Date: 2014.02.18 TOMTOM GLOBAL CONTENT

AI summary

A method, database, memory computer readable medium and navigation device are disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the method includes projecting a plurality of known address points onto an address segment vector of a source map database, to create projection points; interpolating locations for addresses of the address points, to create corresponding interpolation points; and segmenting the address segment vector into a plurality of address sub-segment vectors, upon a distance between a projection point and a corresponding interpolation point exceeding a threshold distance. Embodiments include a memory including a digital map application database storing the address sub-segment vectors of the method, at least one of in place of and in addition to corresponding address segment vectors, upon an address segment vector being segmented; a navigation device including the memory; a digital map application database including a plurality of address segment vectors and a plurality of address sub-segment vectors and a computer readable medium including the digital map application database.