Mobile GPS Flood Zone Determination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current automated flood zone determination systems are inefficient and prone to errors due to reliance on geocoding, lack of precise addressability, human intervention, and potential for inaccurate data entry, especially in rural areas or where properties span multiple zones.
Innovation Solution
A mobile application that records and transmits GPS coordinates and photographs to a server, using algorithms and flood insurance rate maps to determine flood zones, eliminating the need for geocoding and manual intervention, and providing a photographic record for increased accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If geocoding software is used to convert street addresses to coordinates, then automated flood zone determination can be performed, but the system fails for locations without precise street addresses and introduces human error in manual correction
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile device performs self-service by automatically capturing its own GPS coordinates and taking photographs without requiring manual address entry or geocoding. The device independently determines its location and collects evidence, eliminating human error in data entry and geocoding failures for rural addresses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical geocoding process (converting street addresses to coordinates through software algorithms) with a direct GPS satellite-based coordinate acquisition system. This substitution eliminates the intermediate step that causes failures for addresses without precise geocoding data.
2Productivity
If manual address entry and geocoding are used, then flood zone determination can be initiated, but the process is time-consuming and subject to data-entry errors
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile device performs preliminary actions by automatically capturing GPS coordinates and photographs before the flood zone determination request is even submitted. This pre-collection of data eliminates the need for manual address entry and geocoding processing time at the service provider's office.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by automatically collecting all necessary data (coordinates, photographs, timestamps) without requiring manual intervention. The mobile device independently prepares and transmits the complete flood zone determination request package.
3Measurement precision
If a single street address is used for a large plot of land, then the property can be identified, but the system cannot determine which specific area within the property is in a flood zone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the property identification process by using multiple GPS coordinate points instead of a single address. The system can capture coordinates at different locations across the property (e.g., near the structure, near the creek bed, at boundary points) to determine which specific areas fall within flood zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds spatial dimensionality by using GPS coordinates (latitude, longitude, and potentially elevation) instead of a single address point. This allows precise location mapping of multiple points across the property to determine flood zone boundaries and affected areas.
4Reliability
If in-field inspection is performed followed by manual paperwork preparation, then comprehensive property assessment can be made, but the process creates additional opportunities for errors and increases time required
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile device creates digital copies of the property assessment data through automated GPS coordinate capture and photograph collection. These digital records replace manual paperwork, eliminating transcription errors and reducing the time needed to prepare and file documentation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical paperwork system (manual forms, filing, and data entry) with an automated digital system that directly transmits coordinates and photographs to the flood zone determination service, eliminating intermediate manual processing steps.
Data Source
AI summary
This patent discloses methods and systems for remotely requesting a flood zone determination from a mobile device such as a smart phone. The methods and systems use the GPS receiver in the mobile device to determine the exact latitude and longitude of the user's location, thus eliminating the need for geocoding, eliminating errors introduced by manual data entry, and eliminating the need for the time consuming manual determination processes required, for example, for non-standard-addressed locations and for structures located near a 100-year flood zone.