System, apparatus and method for mapping

• US 8,346,471 B2
• Filed: 06/06/2011
• Issued: 01/01/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 1626628 Ontario Limited
• Original Assignee: 1626628 Ontario Limited
• Inventors: Coombes, Anthony C., Burchfield, Marcy L., Geile, Wolfhard
• Primary Examiner(s): Black, Thomas
• Assistant Examiner(s): LOUIE, WAE LENNY
• Application Number:
  US13/154,017
• Publication Number:
  US 20110267355A1
• Time in Patent Office: 575 Days
• Field of Search: 701/208, 701/50, 703/1, 705/35, 455/3.01
• US Class Current: 701/408
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3852 Data derived from aerial or satellite images
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 11/20 Drawing from basic elements, e.g. lines or circles
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 30/422 Technical drawings; Geographical maps
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 29/10 Map spot or coordinate position indicators; Map reading aids optical projection apparatus per se G03B
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 29/106 using electronic means

Abstract

The present invention provides a novel apparatus and method for mapping of urban regions. An apparatus includes the remote sensing equipment that is connected to a computer processor. The remote sensing equipment gathers imaging data about an urban region. The computer processor interprets the imaging data to generate a map of the urban region comprising representations that identify a first set of indicia representing physiographic characteristics, a second set of indicia representing different types of built forms, and a third set of indicia representing patterns of human activity associated with both the physiographic characteristics and the built forms. The map can also include a fourth set of indicia representing an intensity level that at least one of the other types of indicia occurs.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method of generating a map comprising:

receiving, in at least one processing unit, a first set of data of an urban region representing physiographic characteristics;

receiving, in said at least one processing unit, a second set of data of said urban region representing built forms and their locations;

receiving, in said at least one processing unit, a third set of data of said urban region representing patterns of human activity associated with both said physiographic characteristics and said built forms;

determining, using said at least one processing unit, different types of entities for each said set of data; and

generating user output containing indicia respective to each set of data that corresponds to said determined entities.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein said user output is in a graphical form that includes a plurality of precincts, each of said precincts formed based on areas within said region that have a predefined set of common indicia.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising associating an intensity level associated with each set of indicia.

4. The method according to claim 1 wherein said first set of data and said second set of data are obtained from remotely sensed data sources.

5. The method according to claim 1 wherein said third set of data is obtained from census data.

6. An apparatus for generating a map comprising:

at least one input device for receiving a first set of data of an urban region representing physiographic characteristics,

a second set of data of said urban region representing built forms and their locations and a third set of data of said urban region representing patterns of human activity associated with both said physiographic characteristics and said built forms;

a microprocessor connected to said input device operable to determine different types of entities for each said set of data; and

a user output device connected to said microprocessor for presenting indicia respective to each set of data that corresponds to said entities.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said indicia is presented in a graphical form that includes a plurality of precincts, each of said precincts defined by areas within said region that have a predefined set of common indicia.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising the step of associating an intensity level associated with each set of indicia.

9. The apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said first set of data and said second set of data are obtained from remotely sensed data sources.

10. The apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said third set of data is obtained from census data.