Method for Representing Linear Features in a Location Content Management System

• US 20100198505A1
• Filed: 01/30/2009
• Published: 08/05/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: HERE Global B.V. (HERE Holding Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Navteq North America LLC (HERE Holding Corporation)
• Inventors: Painter, Jeffrey E., Samsalovic, Vojislav
• Granted Patent: US 8,271,195 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/207
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3867 Geometry of map features, e.g. shape points, polygons or for simplified maps
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 29/007 using computer methods

Abstract

A method for representing linear features in a location content management system is disclosed. A linear feature is represented using a sequence of routing points that define a unique path when routed on a map through those points. A routing point consists of latitude, longitude, and optional stack position. Stack position defines an upper or lower level of a double-decker bridge or road. The data representing the linear feature is stored outside of a geographic database.

Claims

1. A method for representing linear features in a location content management system, comprising:

identifying a number and location of routing points needed to uniquely define a linear feature;

storing data for the identified routing points with a unique linear location code; and

providing the unique linear location code to users of the location content management system for obtaining location content associated with the linear feature.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the data includes latitude and longitude for the identified routing points.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the data includes a stack position if the linear feature includes a double-decker road.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the linear location code is associated with one of a line, a polyline, and a polygon object.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the data includes a focal point.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising calculating the focal point.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the linear feature is a line and calculating the focal point includes identifying a center point of the line.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the linear feature is one of a polyline and a polygon, and calculating the focal point includes identifying a centroid of the identified routing points.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising running a matching routine to determine if the linear feature has been previously assigned a linear location code.

10. A system for representing linear features in a location content management system, comprising:

a user interface that allows a content source to provide location content associated with a linear feature in a geographic region;

a data store that stores the location content associated with the linear feature; and

a location referencing system that assigns a linear location code to the stored location content and stores the linear location code in the data store, wherein a content receiver can obtain the location content from the location content management system by entering the linear location code into the user interface.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the location referencing system is operable to calculate a focal point for the linear location code.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the linear feature is a line and the location referencing system calculates the focal point by identifying a center point of the line.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the linear feature is one of a polyline and a polygon, and the location referencing system calculates the focal point by identifying a centroid of the identified routing points.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein the location referencing system is operable to determine whether to assign the linear location code based on previously stored linear location codes.

15. A method for representing linear features in a location content management system, comprising:

receiving data for a new linear location code;

searching for an existing linear location code that has a routing point located within a predetermined distance from a first routing point in the new linear location code data;

if the search does not identify an existing linear location code, assigning a new linear location code to a linear feature associated with the received data; and

providing the new linear location code to users of the location content management system.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising determining a number of routing points in the new linear location code data.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising, if the search identifies an existing linear location code, determining whether the number of routing points in the new linear location code data equals a number of routing points in the existing linear location code.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising, if the new linear location code data has the same number of routing points as the existing linear location code, using the predetermined distance to identify a match at corresponding routing points.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising assigning a new linear location code to a linear feature associated with the received data if the match is not found.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising, if the new linear location code data has more routing points than the existing linear location code, determining whether the additional routing points are within a predetermined perpendicular distance from the existing linear location code.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising assigning a new linear location code to a linear feature associated with the received data if the additional routing points are not within the predetermined perpendicular distance from the existing linear location code.

22. A method for extracting location content based on user'"'"'s current location, direction, and speed with respect to a linear feature that the user is moving towards, comprising;

obtaining data associated with a position of a device;

obtaining data associated with a direction of travel of the device;

obtaining data associated with a speed of the travel of the device;

using the data associated with the position, direction, and speed of the device to select location content associated with a linear feature that the device is moving towards; and

providing the selected location content to the device.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising using a positioning system to obtain the data associated with the device.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein the location content includes at least one image that reflects the device user'"'"'s view while moving towards the linear feature.