Reverse Geocoding Using Real Estate Parcel Polygons

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing reverse geocoding methods lack the accuracy and granularity to associate location data with household addresses, as they are typically designed for roads and do not accurately link GPS data to real estate parcels or residential locations.

Innovation Solution

The method involves using real estate parcel data to associate geolocation information from mobile communication devices with location records, allowing for precise matching of geolocation data to residential or commercial locations, thereby enabling the linking of household data with mobile communication devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If general purpose mapping services are used for reverse geocoding, then the system is simple and easy to operate, but the accuracy and granularity of associating location data with household addresses deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of reverse geocodingVSAvoidaccuracy of associating location data with household addresses
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the geocoding process into two distinct stages: first matching location data to real estate parcels using parcel boundary data, then associating parcel data with household addresses. This segmentation allows each stage to specialize - parcel matching provides spatial precision while address association provides household-level granularity, resolving the contradiction between operational simplicity and address association accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If real estate parcel data is used to improve the accuracy of associating location data with household addresses, then the measurement precision improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of associating location data with household addressesVSAvoidcomplexity of reverse geocoding system
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces real estate parcel data as an intermediary layer between location data and household addresses. Instead of directly mapping GPS coordinates to addresses, the system first matches locations to parcels using parcel boundary polygons, then links parcels to addresses through parcel identifier associations. This intermediary approach improves accuracy while managing complexity through standardized data structures and automated matching algorithms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If general purpose mapping services divide blocks into equal squares, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of determining accurate household addresses deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomplexity of address determination systemVSAvoidreliability of determining household address
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by using actual parcel boundary geometries instead of uniform grid divisions. Each real estate parcel is represented by its true boundary polygon derived from property survey data, ensuring that the spatial representation matches the actual legal property boundaries. This allows accurate determination of which household address corresponds to a given location, even when parcel shapes are irregular or non-uniform.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3268857B1Systems, methods, and apparatus for reverse geocoding
Publication Date: 2020.01.15 VERVE WIRELESS
  • EP3268857B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3268857B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3268857B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

Some embodiments described herein relate to reverse geocoding using, for example, real estate parcel data. In some embodiments one or more location records can be received, for example, from a location record database associated with a real estate mapping service. Each location record can identify or otherwise be uniquely associated with a closed shape, such as a two-dimensional polygon, circle, or other boundary that can, for example, define the metes and bounds of a real estate parcel. Geolocation data that represents a location of a mobile communication device can also be received. The geolocation data can map to a location within a shape and the location record associated with that shape can be selected. When the selected location record corresponds to a residential location, household data can be associated with that location record and/or the mobile communication device.