Three-Word Location Identifier System

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Numerical coordinates used in satellite-based location systems are user-unfriendly, difficult to remember, and communicate verbally, and existing alternatives like postcodes or street names may be inaccurate and limited in geographical coverage.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that convert latitude and longitude coordinates into a unique three-word sequence, allowing for easier human-friendly location identification and communication, using a cell-based grid system to generate a single unique value and then converting it into three integers, which are further converted into three words.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If numerical coordinates (latitude and longitude) are used to identify locations, then location identification accuracy is improved, but user friendliness and ease of communication deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocation identification accuracyVSAvoiduser friendliness
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary conversion system that translates numerical coordinates into human-friendly location names through a database of named locations. This intermediary layer (location names) mediates between the precise numerical coordinates and human users, allowing accurate location identification while improving ease of communication and remembering locations through meaningful names rather than raw numbers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If post codes or street names are used to identify locations, then ease of communication is improved, but location accuracy and geographical coverage deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of communicationVSAvoidlocation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal location identification system that works across different geographical areas and languages by converting coordinates into locally relevant named locations. This universal approach maintains high accuracy while improving communication ease, as the system adapts to different regions' naming conventions and geographical contexts rather than relying on region-specific post codes or address systems.

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

3Measurement precision

If numerical coordinates are used, then unique location identification is achieved, but time required for manual input increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveunique location identificationVSAvoidmanual input time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses copying by creating a database of pre-defined named locations that correspond to numerical coordinates. Instead of requiring users to manually input and process numerical coordinates, the system copies the precise location identification function into human-friendly names that can be quickly selected or recognized, significantly reducing manual input time while maintaining unique location identification accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP2987344B1A method and apparatus for identifying and communicating locations
Publication Date: 2024.07.31 WHAT3WORDS
  • EP2987344B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2987344B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2987344B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A method of producing a location identifier comprising: obtaining the geographical coordinates of a location; converting the geographical coordinates into single unique value n; converting the single unique value n into a unique group of a plurality of values; converting the plurality of values into an equal plurality of respective words; and providing the plurality of words as a location identifier, and a method of identifying a location comprising: obtaining a location identifier for a location, the location identifier comprising a plurality of words; converting the plurality of words into a unique group of an equal plurality of respective values; converting the unique group of a plurality of values into a single unique value n; converting the single unique value n into geographical coordinates; and outputting the geographical coordinates.