Universal Location Referencing Objects for Map Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional digital maps lack the ability to seamlessly integrate and dynamically link geographic information from different sources, limiting their ability to handle rich spatial content and requiring extensive labor for data synchronization, which is economically and logistically infeasible for maintaining large datasets.

Innovation Solution

The creation of universal location referencing objects (ULROs) that establish traversable links between files, reducing the number of connections needed and allowing for efficient retrieval and updating of spatial data, enabling the creation of virtual maps with integrated geographic information from diverse sources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional digital maps integrate geographic information from multiple sources, then the richness of spatial content increases, but the complexity of data synchronization and storage connections increases exponentially

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverichness of spatial contentVSAvoidcomplexity of data synchronization

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a central repository as an intermediary component that mediates between multiple third-party files and the map database. This repository stores master copies of geographic information and provides a centralized coordination point for data synchronization, eliminating the need for exponential peer-to-peer connections between data sources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system segments geographic information into discrete, independently manageable third-party files, each containing specific spatial data from different sources. This segmentation allows each file to be maintained and updated independently while still contributing to the integrated map through standardized interfaces with the central repository.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple connections are established between map database and third-party files, then data integration capability improves, but storage requirements and processing overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata integration capabilityVSAvoidstorage requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple third-party file connections through a central repository that maintains consolidated master copies of geographic information. Instead of duplicating data across multiple connections, the system combines access paths through a single centralized interface, reducing redundant storage while maintaining integration capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of manufacture

If manual corrections are made to paper maps, then local modifications are achieved, but time consumption increases and other copies remain outdated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocal modification capabilityVSAvoidtime for corrections

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables automatic self-service updates through the central repository architecture. When geographic information is modified in any third-party file, the central repository automatically detects changes and propagates updates to all relevant map databases and applications, eliminating manual correction processes and ensuring all copies remain synchronized without human intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Stability of the object's composition

If paper maps are reprinted with corrections, then all copies are updated, but costs increase and the process is impractical for frequent modifications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconsistency across copiesVSAvoidefficiency of updates

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements continuous automatic update propagation through the central repository. Rather than periodic reprints or batch updates, the system maintains continuous synchronization where changes are automatically propagated to all copies in real-time or near-real-time, ensuring consistency while maintaining high productivity for frequent modifications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentEP1957938B1A method and system for creating universal location referencing objects

Publication Date: 2019.12.25 TOMTOM GLOBAL CONTENT

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AI summary

A method and system for creating and/or using a universal location referencing object (ULRO) with electronic files including electronic maps. ULROs establish traversable links between a file-of-reference and third-party-files. In accordance with an embodiment, the ULRO comprises a universal location referencing code uniquely corresponding to the location, together with several optional components, including: a set of name information; a super-set of coordinates; a file-of-reference pointer field comprising a file-of-reference pointer; a third-party-file pointer field comprising one or more third-party-file pointers; a file-of-reference back-pointer field comprising a file-of-reference back-pointer; a third-party-file back-pointer field comprising one or more third-party-file back-pointers; and a metadata field. ULROs allow recognition of equivalence of features in different maps, and facilitate dynamic combination or linking of multiple maps into one virtual map, with traversable connectivity for a wide variety of map formats.