Systems and methods for data accuracy in a positioning system database

• US 10,198,456 B1
• Filed: 01/22/2016
• Issued: 02/05/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: Boyer, Wesley, Chasen, Michael, Quinn, Victor
• Primary Examiner(s): Do, Truc M
• Application Number:
  US15/004,092
• Time in Patent Office: 1,110 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/30 Map- or contour-matching
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3673 Labelling using text of road map data items, e.g. road names, POI names
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/2219 Large Object storage; Management thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/2291 User-Defined Types; Storage management thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/2365 Ensuring data consistency and integrity
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/285 Clustering or classification
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/29 Geographical information databases
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/58 Retrieval characterised by using metadata, e.g. metadata not derived from the content or metadata generated manually
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/583 using metadata automatically derived from the content
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/176 Urban or other man-made structures
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/021 Services related to particular areas, e.g. point of interest [POI] services, venue services or geofences

Abstract

Methods for improving data accuracy in a positioning system database are provided. In one aspect, a method includes obtaining an image of a building including a business, and receiving from a user a first identifier in the image of a first edge of the business. The first identifier is associated with a first axis heading in the direction of the first edge of the business. The method also includes receiving from the user a second identifier of a second edge of the business, the second identifier associated with a second axis, receiving from the user a third identifier of an entrance to the business, the third identifier associated with a third axis, and identifying first, second, and third points on the first, second, and third axes, respectively, to identify the first edge, the second edge, and the entrance of the business on the map. Systems and machine-readable media are provided.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

obtaining, by a device, a first two dimensional image providing a first person perspective, along a first heading from a first position at a first latitude and longitude pairing on a map, of a building comprising a business;

receiving, by the device, from a user a first identifier in the first two dimensional image of a first edge of the business relative to the building, the first identifier associated with a first axis directed based on the first heading in a direction of the first edge of the business and passing through the first position on the map;

receiving, by the device, from the user a second identifier in the first two dimensional image of a second edge of the business relative to the building, the second identifier associated with a second axis directed based on the first heading in a direction of the second edge of the business and passing through the first position on the map;

receiving, by the device, from the user a third identifier in the first two dimensional image of an entrance to the business relative to the building, the third identifier associated with a third axis directed based on the first heading in a direction of the entrance of the business and passing through the first position on the map;

identifying, by the device, a first point on the first axis and using the first point to identify the first edge of the business in the building on the map;

identifying, by the device, a second point on the second axis and using the second point to identify the second edge of the business in the building on the map;

identifying, by the device, a third point on the third axis and using the third point to identify the entrance of the business in the building on the map; and

providing, by the device, directions between an origin point and a third latitude and longitude pairing, on the map, associated with the entrance to the business.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first point comprises an intersection on the map between the first axis and a first edge of a polygon representing the building on the map, wherein the second point comprises an intersection on the map between the second axis and the second edge of the polygon representing the building, and wherein the third point comprises an intersection on the map between the third axis and a third edge of the polygon representing the building, and wherein the first, second, and third edges are a same edge or are different edges of the polygon representing the building.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first point, the second point, and the third point are identified by the user viewing the map.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the first point, the second point, and the third point are identified by a processor identifying each of intersection on the map between the first axis and the first edge of the polygon, the intersection on the map between the second axis and the second edge of the polygon, and the intersection on the map between the third axis and the third edge of the polygon representing the building.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

obtaining a second two dimensional image providing a first person perspective, along a second heading from a second position at a second latitude and longitude pairing on the map, of the building comprising the business;

receiving from the user a fourth identifier in the second two dimensional image of the first edge of the business relative to the building, the fourth identifier associated with a fourth axis directed based on the second heading in the direction of the first edge of the business and passing through the second position on the map;

receiving from the user a fifth identifier in the second two dimensional image of the second edge of the business relative to the building, the fifth identifier associated with a fifth axis directed based on the second heading in the direction of the second edge of the business and passing through the second position on the map; and

receiving from the user a sixth identifier in the second two dimensional image of the entrance to the business relative to the building, the sixth identifier associated with a sixth axis directed based on the second heading in the direction of the entrance of the business and passing through the second position on the map,

wherein the first point is identified as an intersection on the map of the first axis and the fourth axis,

wherein the second point is identified as an intersection on the map of the second axis and the fifth axis, and

wherein the third point is identified as an intersection on the map of the third axis and the sixth axis.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing the map for display to the user or another user, the map comprising an identification on a polygon on a map representing the building of each of the first edge of the business, the second edge of the business, and the entrance of the business.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a request from another user for directions between the origin point on the map and the business.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a set of boundaries for the business within a polygon representing the building based on the first edge of the business and the second edge of the business;

receiving a location of another user; and

determining based on the boundaries for the business that the other user is located at the business.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving an initial first two dimensional image providing a first person perspective along an initial heading from the first position at the first latitude and longitude pairing on the map; and

receiving a request from the user to change a display of the first two dimensional image from the initial heading from the first position to the first heading from the first position,

wherein the first two dimensional image providing the first person perspective, along the first heading from the first position at the first latitude and longitude pairing on the map, of the building is provided in response to the request from the user to change from the initial heading from the first position to the first heading from the first position.

10. The method of claim 1,

wherein the first identifier of the first edge of the business is received at a first off-center location on the first two dimensional image,

wherein the second identifier of the second edge of the business is received at a second off-center location on the first two dimensional image,

wherein the third identifier of the entrance of the business is received at a third off-center location on the first two dimensional image, and

wherein the method further comprises:

determining, based on a zoom level of the first two dimensional image and a pixel distance of the first identifier from a horizontal center of the first two dimensional image, a first approximate number of degrees of rotational arc difference for the first identifier from the first heading;

determining, based on the zoom level of the first two dimensional image and a pixel distance of the second identifier from the horizontal center of the first two dimensional image, a second approximate number of degrees of rotational arc difference for the second identifier from the first heading;

determining, based on the zoom level of the first two dimensional image and a pixel distance of the third identifier from the horizontal center of the first two dimensional image, a third approximate number of degrees of rotational arc difference for the third identifier from the first heading;

generating a first modified first heading that differs from the first heading based on the determined first approximate number of degrees of rotational arc difference from the first heading;

generating a second modified first heading that differs from the first heading based on the determined second approximate number of degrees of rotational arc difference from the first heading; and

generating a third modified first heading that differs from the first heading based on the determined third approximate number of degrees of rotational arc difference from the first heading,

wherein the first axis is directed along the first modified first heading, wherein the second axis is directed along the second modified first heading, and

wherein the third axis is directed along the third modified first heading.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

providing for display a marker at a horizontal center of the first two dimensional image;

receiving a first request from the user to change a display of the first two dimensional image from the first heading from the first position to a first modified first heading from the first position;

receiving from the user the first identifier along the marker in the first two dimensional image of the first edge of the business relative to the building, wherein the first axis is directed along the first modified first heading in the direction of the first edge of the business and passing through the first position on the map;

receiving a second request from the user to change the display of the first two dimensional image from the first modified first heading from the first position to a second modified first heading from the first position;

receiving from the user the second identifier along the marker in the first two dimensional image of the second edge of the business relative to the building, wherein the second axis is directed along the second modified first heading in the direction of the second edge of the business and passing through the first position on the map;

receiving a third request from the user to change the display of the first two dimensional image from the second modified first heading from the first position to a third modified first heading from the first position; and

receiving from the user the third identifier along the marker in the first two dimensional image of the entrance of the business relative to the building, wherein the third axis is directed along the third modified first heading in the direction of the entrance of the business and passing through the first position on the map.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising updating a display of edges of a polygon representing the building on the map based on the identified first point, the identified second point, and the identified third point used to identify the first edge, the second edge, the entrance of the business in the building on the map.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving from the user a fourth identifier in the first two dimensional image of another entrance to the business relative to the building, the fourth identifier associated with a fourth axis directed based on the first heading in a direction of the other entrance of the business and passing through the first position on the map; and

identifying a fourth point on the fourth axis and using the fourth point to identify the other entrance of the business in the building on the map,

wherein the first edge, the second edge, a third edge, and a fourth edge are a same edge or are different edges of a polygon representing the building on the map.

14. A system for improving data accuracy in a positioning system database, the system comprising:

a memory comprising instructions; and

a processor configured to execute the instructions to;

obtain a first two dimensional image providing a first person perspective, along a first heading from a first position at a first latitude and longitude pairing on a map, of a building comprising a business;

receive from a user a first identifier in the first two dimensional image of a first edge of the business relative to the building, the first identifier associated with a first axis directed based on the first heading in a direction of the first edge of the business and passing through the first position on the map;

receive from the user a second identifier in the first two dimensional image of a second edge of the business relative to the building, the second identifier associated with a second axis directed based on the first heading in a direction of the second edge of the business and passing through the first position on the map;

receive from the user a third identifier in the first two dimensional image of an entrance to the business relative to the building, the third identifier associated with a third axis directed based on the first heading in a direction of the entrance of the business and passing through the first position on the map;

obtain a second two dimensional image providing a first person perspective, along a second heading from a second position at a second latitude and longitude pairing on the map, of the building comprising the business;

receive from the user a fourth identifier in the second two dimensional image of the first edge of the business relative to the building, the fourth identifier associated with a fourth axis directed based on the second heading in the direction of the first edge of the business and passing through the second position on the map;

receive from the user a fifth identifier in the second two dimensional image of the second edge of the business relative to the building, the fifth identifier associated with a fifth axis directed based on the second heading in the direction of the second edge of the business and passing through the second position on the map;

receive from the user a sixth identifier in the second two dimensional image of the entrance to the business relative to the building, the sixth identifier associated with a sixth axis directed based on the second heading in the direction of the entrance of the business and passing through the second position on the map;

identify, as the first edge of the business in the building, a first point on the first axis comprising an intersection on the map between the first axis and the fourth axis;

identify, as the second edge of the business in the building, a second point on the second axis comprising an intersection on the map between the second axis and the fifth axis;

identify, as the entrance of the business in the building, a third point on the third axis comprising an intersection on the map between the third axis and the sixth axis; and

provide directions between an origin point and a third latitude and longitude pairing, on the map, associated with the entrance to the business.

15. The system of claim 14,

wherein the first identifier of the first edge of the business is received at a first off-center location on the first two dimensional image,

wherein the second identifier of the second edge of the business is received at a second off-center location on the first two dimensional image,

wherein the third identifier of the entrance of the business is received at a third off-center location on the first two dimensional image,

wherein the fourth identifier of the first edge of the business is received at a fourth off-center location on the second two dimensional image,

wherein the fifth identifier of the second edge of the business is received at a fifth off-center location on the second two dimensional image,

wherein the sixth identifier of the entrance of the business is received at a sixth off-center location on the second two dimensional image, and

wherein the processor is further configured to:

determine, based on a zoom level of the first two dimensional image and a pixel distance of the first identifier from a horizontal center of the first two dimensional image, a first approximate number of degrees of rotational arc difference for the first identifier from the first heading;

determine, based on the zoom level of the first two dimensional image and a pixel distance of the second identifier from the horizontal center of the first two dimensional image, a second approximate number of degrees of rotational arc difference for the second identifier from the first heading;

determine, based on the zoom level of the first two dimensional image and a pixel distance of the third identifier from the horizontal center of the first two dimensional image, a third approximate number of degrees of rotational arc difference for the third identifier from the first heading;

determine, based on a zoom level of the second two dimensional image and a pixel distance of the fourth identifier from a horizontal center of the second two dimensional image, a fourth approximate number of degrees of rotational arc difference for the fourth identifier from the second heading;

determine, based on the zoom level of the second two dimensional image and a pixel distance of the fifth identifier from the horizontal center of the second two dimensional image, a fifth approximate number of degrees of rotational arc difference for the fifth identifier from the second heading;

determine, based on the zoom level of the second two dimensional image and a pixel distance of the sixth identifier from the horizontal center of the second two dimensional image, a sixth approximate number of degrees of rotational arc difference for the sixth identifier from the second heading;

generate a first modified first heading that differs from the first heading based on the determined first approximate number of degrees of rotational arc difference from the first heading;

generate a second modified first heading that differs from the first heading based on the determined second approximate number of degrees of rotational arc difference from the first heading;

generate a third modified first heading that differs from the first heading based on the determined third approximate number of degrees of rotational arc difference from the first heading;

generate a first modified second heading that differs from the second heading based on the determined fourth approximate number of degrees of rotational arc difference from the second heading;

generate a second modified second heading that differs from the second heading based on the determined fifth approximate number of degrees of rotational arc difference from the second heading; and

generate a third modified second heading that differs from the second heading based on the determined sixth approximate number of degrees of rotational arc difference from the second heading,

wherein the first axis is directed along the first modified first heading,

wherein the second axis is directed along the second modified first heading,

wherein the third axis is directed along the third modified first heading,

wherein the fourth axis is directed along the first modified second heading,

wherein the fifth axis is directed along the second modified second heading, and

wherein the sixth axis is directed along the third modified second heading.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the processor is further configured to provide the map for display to the user or another user, the map comprising an identification on a polygon representing the building on the map of each of the first edge of the business, the second edge of the business, and the entrance of the business.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein the processor is further configured to:

receive a request from another user for directions between the origin point on the map and the business.

18. The system of claim 14, wherein the processor is further configured to:

determine a set of boundaries for the business within a polygon representing the building on the map based on the first edge of the business and the second edge of the business;

receive a location of another user; and

determine based on the boundaries for the business that the other user is located at the business.

19. The system of claim 14, wherein the processor is further configured to:

receive an initial first two dimensional image providing a first person perspective along an initial heading from the first position at the first latitude and longitude pairing on the map; and

receive a request from the user to change a display of the first two dimensional image from the initial heading from the first position to the first heading from the first position,

wherein the first two dimensional image providing the first person perspective, along the first heading from the first position at the first latitude and longitude pairing on the map, of the building is provided in response to the request from the user to change from the initial heading from the first position to the first heading from the first position.

20. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions, the instructions comprising:

one or more instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to;

obtain a first two dimensional image providing a first person perspective, along a first heading from a first position at a first latitude and longitude pairing on a map, of a building comprising a business;

receive from a user a first identifier, at a first off-center location in the first two dimensional image, of a first edge of the business relative to the building;

determine, based on a zoom level of the first two dimensional image and a pixel distance of the first identifier from a horizontal center of the first two dimensional image, a first approximate number of degrees of rotational arc difference for the first identifier from the first heading;

generate a first modified first heading that differs from the first heading based on the determined first approximate number of degrees of rotational arc difference from the first heading;

identify a first axis directed based on the first modified first heading and passing through the first position on the map;

receive from the user a second identifier, at a second off-center location in the first two dimensional image, of a second edge of the business relative to the building;

determine, based on a zoom level of the first two dimensional image and a pixel distance of the second identifier from the horizontal center of the first two dimensional image, a second approximate number of degrees of rotational arc difference for the second identifier from the first heading;

generate a second modified first heading that differs from the first heading based on the determined second approximate number of degrees of rotational arc difference from the first heading;

identify a second axis directed based on the second modified first heading and passing through the first position on the map;

receive from the user a third identifier, at a third off-center location in the first two dimensional image, of an entrance to the business relative to the building;

determine, based on a zoom level of the first two dimensional image and a pixel distance of the third identifier from the horizontal center of the first two dimensional image, a third approximate number of degrees of rotational arc difference for the third identifier from the first heading;

generate a third modified first heading that differs from the first heading based on the determined third approximate number of degrees of rotational arc difference from the first heading;

identify a third axis directed based on the third modified first heading and passing through the first position on the map;

obtain a second two dimensional image providing a first person perspective, along a second heading from a second position at a second latitude and longitude pairing on the map, of the building comprising the business;

receive from the user a fourth identifier, at a fourth off-center location in the second two dimensional image, of the first edge of the business relative to the building;

determine based on a zoom level of the second two dimensional image and a pixel distance of the fourth identifier from the horizontal center of the second two dimensional image, a fourth approximate number of degrees of rotational arc difference for the fourth identifier from the second heading;

generate a first modified second heading that differs from the second heading based on the determined fourth approximate number of degrees of rotational arc difference from the second heading;

identify a fourth axis directed based on the first modified second heading and passing through the second position on the map;

receive from the user a fifth identifier, at a fifth off-center location in the second two dimensional image, of the second edge of the business relative to the building;

determine based on a zoom level of the second two dimensional image and a pixel distance of the fifth identifier from the horizontal center of the second two dimensional image, a fifth approximate number of degrees of rotational arc difference for the fifth identifier from the second heading;

generate a second modified second heading that differs from the second heading based on the determined fifth approximate number of degrees of rotational arc difference from the second heading;

identify a fifth axis directed based on the second modified second heading and passing through the second position on the map;

receive from the user a sixth identifier, at a sixth off-center location in the second two dimensional image, of the entrance to the business relative to the building, determining, based on a zoom level of the second two dimensional image and a pixel distance of the sixth identifier from the horizontal center of the second two dimensional image, a sixth approximate number of degrees of rotational arc difference for the sixth identifier from the second heading;

generate a third modified second heading that differs from the second heading based on the determined sixth approximate number of degrees of rotational arc difference from the second heading;

identify a sixth axis directed based on the third modified second heading and passing through the second position on the map;

identify, as the first edge of the business in the building, a first point on the first axis comprising an intersection on the map between the first axis and the fourth axis;

identify, as the second edge of the business in the building, a second point on the second axis comprising an intersection on the map between the second axis and the fifth axis;

identify, as the entrance of the business in the building, a third point on the third axis comprising an intersection on the map between the third axis and the sixth axis; and

provide directions between an origin point and a third latitude and longitude pairing, on the map, associated with the entrance to the business.