METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR CREATING AND USING A LOCATION IDENTIFICATION GRID

• US 20150377645A1
• Filed: 09/08/2015
• Published: 12/31/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/07/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: United States Postal Service (Government of the United States of America)
• Original Assignee: United States Postal Service (Government of the United States of America)
• Inventors: Bonnell, Clayton C., Terry, Neri G. Jr., Schulz, Kurt J.
• Granted Patent: US 9,683,855 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/20 Instruments for performing navigational calculations G01C21/24, G01C21/26 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/34 Route searching; Route guidance
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3667 Display of a road map G01C21/3614 takes precedence; guidance using 3D or perspective road maps G01C21/3635
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 29/007 using computer methods

Abstract

A method and system for generating a location identification grid and for using a location identification grid. The location identification grid can include a first geographic area that correspond to a pre-existing area. This pre-existing area can correspond to a postal code such as a zip code, a telephone code such as, an area code, or any other desired pre-existing area. The location identification grid can be subdivided into smaller geographic areas to allow more accurate identification of a location. The location identification grid can include a second geographic area. The second geographic area can be a subdivision of the first geographic area. The location identification grid can be used with signals that identify a location within a location identification grid. These signals can include a first component corresponding to the first geographic area and the second component corresponding to one or more second geographic areas.

Claims

1. A method of directing a person to a location, the method comprising:

receiving a request for location information at a processor, wherein the request comprises a location identifier of a desired destination;

querying, based on the location identifier, a memory with the processor to determine from a group of first irregularly shaped geographic areas a first irregularly shaped geographic area including the desired destination;

querying the memory with the processor to determine from a group of second geographic areas covering the first irregularly shaped geographic area a second geographic area including the desired destination;

determining a present location; and

providing an audible or visual output indicating a path to reach the desired destination.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first irregularly shaped geographic areas correspond to pre-existing geographic areas.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the pre-existing geographic areas correspond to areas designated by one or several postal codes.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the pre-existing geographic areas correspond to areas designated by one or several area codes.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the second geographic areas correspond to pre-existing geographic areas.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the pre-existing geographic areas are defined by a polar coordinate system.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the pre-existing geographic areas are defined by a Cartesian grid system.

8. The method of claim 2, wherein receiving a request for location information comprises receiving a user input identifying a desired destination.

9. The method of claim 2, wherein receiving a request for location information comprises receiving a third party input identifying a desired destination.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the third party input comprises receiving an input from a webpage.

11. The method of claim 2, wherein the path to reach the desired destination is partially on a road.

12. A system for directing a person to a location, the system comprising:

means for receiving a request for location information at a processor, wherein the request comprises a location identifier of a desired destination;

means for querying, based on the location identifier, a memory with the processor to determine from a group of first irregularly shaped geographic areas a first irregularly shaped geographic area including the desired destination;

means for querying the memory with the processor to determine from a group of second geographic areas covering the first irregularly shaped geographic area a second geographic area including the desired destination;

means for determining a present location; and

means for providing an audible or visual output indicating a path to reach the desired destination.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the plurality of first irregularly shaped geographic areas correspond to pre-existing areas.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the pre-existing areas correspond to zip codes.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the pre-existing areas correspond to area codes.

16. The system of claim 12, wherein the plurality of first parallel lines and the plurality of second parallel lines correspond to pre-existing grid lines.

17. The system of claim 12, wherein the plurality of second geographic areas correspond to pre-existing areas.

18. The system of claim 12, wherein the memory further comprises a unique identifier associated with one of the first irregularly shaped geographic areas.

19. The system of claim 12, wherein the processor is further configured to determine whether further resolution of the location identification is required.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the processor is further configured to sub-divide the second geographic areas.