VFR Chart Geo-Referencing Through Automated Grid Intersection Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manual process of identifying ground control points (GCPs) on visual flight rule (VFR) charts is labor-intensive, subjective, and error-prone, leading to inconsistencies and inaccuracies in geo-referencing maps.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that automatically determine the locations of actual lines of longitude and latitude, and their intersections, using computer processors to analyze maps and identify characteristics, allowing for the creation of geo-referenced maps with real-world coordinates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual review of VFR charts is used to locate ground control points, then operator flexibility is maintained, but labor intensity increases and accuracy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of visually reviewing and selecting ground control points with an automated computer-based system. The system automatically processes VFR charts, identifies characteristics, determines theoretical intersections, and locates actual intersections without human intervention, thereby increasing both accuracy and processing speed simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by automatically analyzing the VFR chart contents, identifying map characteristics, and determining ground control point locations without requiring operator input. The automated process independently completes the entire geo-referencing task, eliminating the need for manual review while maintaining high accuracy.
2Reliability
If manual selection of ground control points is performed, then operator judgment is applied, but subjectivity increases and consistency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces subjective human judgment with an objective automated system that consistently applies the same algorithms and criteria. The system automatically identifies map characteristics and determines intersections using standardized computational methods, eliminating variability introduced by different operators while maintaining reliable consistency across all ground control point locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transforms the manual process into automated parameter-based processing. By changing from human subjective judgment to computer-based parameter analysis, the system maintains consistent reliability through reproducible algorithms that process chart characteristics uniformly, ensuring identical results regardless of which operator performs the task.
3Manufacturing precision
If manual review process is used, then flexibility in operator approach is maintained, but error rate increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes manual review with automated computer processing that continuously analyzes VFR charts without time loss. The system simultaneously identifies all map characteristics, determines theoretical intersections, and locates actual intersections in a single automated operation, eliminating the time-consuming manual review process while maintaining high manufacturing precision through consistent algorithmic application.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated system maintains continuous useful action by continuously processing the VFR chart without interruption. Unlike manual review which requires discrete operator actions with inherent delays, the automated system continuously analyzes the entire chart, identifies all characteristics, and determines all ground control point locations in an uninterrupted sequence, thereby eliminating time loss while preserving accuracy.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system and a method include identifying characteristics of a map of a geographic location, and placing plural first lines of longitude and plural first lines of latitude of the map based in part on the characteristics. The first lines of longitude and latitude intersect with each other to create plural theoretical intersections. A magnification of a segment of the map, that includes the first theoretical intersection, is changed. One or more edges associated with one or more second lines of longitude or latitude are identified, and a location of a first actual intersection within the first segment is determined based in part on the identification of the one or more edges associated with the second lines of longitude and latitude.