Mobile GPS Flood Zone Determination via Coordinate Transmission
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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 coordinates for non-geocodable addresses, human intervention, and inability to handle properties within multiple flood zones or near flood zones, leading to inaccurate and time-consuming flood zone assessments.
Innovation Solution
A mobile application client records and transmits longitude and latitude coordinates along with photographs to a flood search service, which interfaces with a flood zone determination system to provide precise flood insurance rate zones, eliminating the need for geocoding and manual intervention by using GPS and camera capabilities on mobile devices.
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 geocoding errors and inability to handle non-geocodable addresses occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary component (flood zone determination software) that receives coordinates from geocoding software and independently verifies them against multiple data sources including satellite imagery and topographic maps. This intermediary layer filters out geocoding errors and handles non-geocodable addresses by alternative methods, thus maintaining automation while improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the flood zone determination software sends correction data back to the geocoding process. When geocoding errors are detected through coordinate validation against known geographic features, the system generates feedback to correct the coordinates or flag the address for manual review, thereby improving the overall accuracy of automated determination.
2Reliability
If manual address entry and map lookup is performed, then flood zone information can be obtained, but time consumption and human error increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-processing and storing flood zone boundary data, topographic information, and geographic feature coordinates in accessible databases before actual flood zone determinations are needed. This allows the system to quickly retrieve and compare address coordinates against pre-organized flood zone data, significantly reducing determination time while maintaining accuracy through multiple verification points.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the mechanical process of manual map lookup with automated computer-based coordinate geometry calculations. The flood zone determination software uses algorithmic comparisons between address coordinates and stored flood zone boundary coordinates, eliminating manual intervention while preserving accuracy through systematic multi-source verification.
3Ease of operation
If a single street address is used to represent a large property, then simple identification is possible, but multiple flood zones within the property cannot be identified
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the property analysis into multiple coordinate points representing different structures or zones within the property. Instead of treating the entire property as a single address unit, the system processes each structure's coordinates separately, determining the flood zone for each point independently. This maintains operational simplicity through standardized processing while preserving detailed flood zone information for each specific location.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from two-dimensional address-based identification to three-dimensional spatial analysis by incorporating elevation data and vertical flood zone boundaries. This allows the system to handle properties spanning multiple flood zones by analyzing the vertical and horizontal position of each structure, providing comprehensive flood zone information without complicating the identification process.
4Measurement precision
If field inspection is performed followed by office-based request preparation, then accurate property identification is possible, but paperwork and data-entry errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling field inspectors to directly input property coordinates and receive immediate flood zone determination results through portable computing devices. The system performs automated coordinate validation and flood zone lookup in real-time at the field location, eliminating the need to return to the office for data processing. This maintains measurement precision through direct field data collection while simplifying the overall process by removing intermediate paperwork and data-entry steps.
Data Source
AI summary
This application 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.