Point of Interest Attribute Evaluation via User Position Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for determining the popularity and attributes of points of interest, such as shops and restaurants, are time-consuming and costly, especially as the number of visitors increases, and require manual inspection or polling, which becomes impractical for large numbers of locations.

Innovation Solution

A method using user position data from navigation systems to automatically evaluate attributes of points of interest by analyzing the number of users entering a defined region, their speed, and time spent within it, allowing for the determination of popularity, opening and closing times, and busy/quiet periods without manual intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual inspection or polling methods are used to determine point of interest attributes, then measurement precision can be maintained, but time consumption and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattribute evaluation accuracyVSAvoiddata collection time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual inspection and polling methods with automated electronic data processing. Position data from navigation systems is automatically processed to determine point of interest attributes, eliminating the need for manual fieldwork while maintaining measurement accuracy through systematic analysis of user movement patterns,停留 time, and visit frequency.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces position data from navigation systems as an intermediary to indirectly measure point of interest attributes. Instead of directly observing or polling at the point of interest, the system uses GPS position data as a mediator to infer visitor numbers, popularity, and operational hours, significantly reducing time and cost while preserving measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the number of points of interest to be evaluated increases, then comprehensive coverage is improved, but the complexity and cost of data collection increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage of points of interestVSAvoiddata collection system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal evaluation system that handles multiple types of points of interest (shops, restaurants, attractions, etc.) through a single automated data processing platform. The same position data processing methodology is applied across diverse POI categories, eliminating the need for separate collection systems for each POI type and reducing overall system complexity while expanding coverage.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables points of interest to be evaluated through passive collection of publicly available navigation data without requiring active participation from the POIs themselves. The automated processing of user position data allows comprehensive evaluation of numerous POIs simultaneously, scaling efficiently as the number of evaluated locations increases without proportionally increasing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If repeated monitoring of point of interest attributes is conducted, then data freshness is improved, but time and cost accumulate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata freshnessVSAvoidmonitoring time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements continuous automated monitoring of point of interest attributes by systematically processing position data over time. The system continuously analyzes user position data to update POI attributes such as current visitor numbers, operational status, and popularity trends, maintaining data freshness without manual intervention and accumulating minimal additional time or cost for repeated measurements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentEP2749847B1Method and apparatus for evaluating an attribute of a point of interest
Publication Date: 2018.10.31 TOMTOM GLOBAL CONTENT
  • EP2749847B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2749847B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2749847B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method of evaluating an attribute of a point of interest comprises associating a region with the point of interest; and evaluating the attribute according to a comparison of position data of a plurality of users with position data defining the associated region.