Textual Location Extraction Using Locale Context

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile electronic devices face challenges in efficiently extracting and processing location information from unstructured free-form text due to their small form factor, making it cumbersome for users to enter and review text for navigational purposes.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of textual location extraction techniques that automatically identify and geo-code location information using a locale context, allowing for the recognition of location information in various data formats, including unstructured text, audio, and video, and providing navigational functions without the need for special formatting or keywords.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If users manually enter and review text for location information on mobile devices, then location information can be obtained, but the process becomes cumbersome and tedious due to small device form factor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of entering location informationVSAvoiddevice form factor limitations
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically extracts location information from received text messages without requiring user input or interaction. The mobile device performs self-service by implementing automated text parsing, pattern recognition, and geo-coding functions to identify and process location data from various message formats, eliminating the need for manual entry on small device screens

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical text entry with automated computational processing. Instead of users physically typing location information on limited mobile device keyboards, the system uses software-based text analysis, pattern matching algorithms, and automated geo-coding to extract and process location data from received messages

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

2Extent of automation

If automated text parsing is implemented to extract location information, then user interaction is reduced, but the system must handle various text structures and formats

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomation of location extractionVSAvoidhandling various text formats
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements a universal text parsing framework that can handle multiple message formats including SMS, MMS, email, and instant messaging. The automated extraction mechanism uses pattern recognition and flexible parsing rules that adapt to different text structures, allowing a single system to process various formats without requiring format-specific processing logic

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs flexible parsing parameters and pattern matching rules that can be adjusted based on the detected text format. The system changes processing parameters dynamically to accommodate different message types, text structures, and location information formats, enabling robust automated extraction across diverse input scenarios

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Speed

If location information is automatically identified and geo-coded, then real-time navigation is enabled, but processing time and computational resources are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereal-time navigation capabilityVSAvoidtext processing time
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary geo-coding of location information as soon as it is extracted from incoming messages, rather than waiting for user initiation. By pre-processing and storing geo-coded location data in advance, the system eliminates delays during navigation setup, enabling immediate real-time navigation when the user requests directions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a segmented processing approach where location extraction, validation, and geo-coding are performed as separate sequential steps. This segmentation allows the system to process only the necessary portions of incoming messages, reducing overall processing time by avoiding redundant operations and enabling parallel processing of multiple messages

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS8331958B2Automatically identifying location information in text data
Publication Date: 2012.12.11 GARMIN LTD(GB)
  • US8331958B2 patent drawing
  • US8331958B2 patent drawing
  • US8331958B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Techniques are described for automatically identifying/recognizing location information in received data and then providing navigational-related functions associated with the location information. In one or more implementations, automatically identifying location information may be performed using a locale context. More particularly, the locale context may serve as a basis for determining how text data is parsed and which expressions are used to parse text in order to recognize the location information.