System and method for georeferencing digial raster maps

• US 20010033290A1
• Filed: 03/29/2001
• Published: 10/25/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sourceprose Corporation (TransUnion Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sourceprose Corporation (TransUnion Corporation)
• Inventors: Higgins, Darin Wayne, Scott, Dan Martin
• Granted Patent: US 7,167,187 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/629
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 17/05 Geographic models

Abstract

The preferred embodiment provides a system and method for georeferencing digital raster maps by associating specific points on the raster map with corresponding points on a georeferenced vector map or another georeferenced raster map. According to the preferred embodiment, a raster map and a corresponding vector map are simultaneously displayed to a user. The user then locates a common geographic point or feature on each map, and marks each of them as a unique point-pair. When the user has marked at least two point-pairs, the system then computes a georeferencing function, based on the pixel-coordinates of the points marked on the raster map and the corresponding geographic coordinates of the points on the vector map. Thereafter the geographic coordinates of any point on the map may be easily computed. The preferred embodiment provides that as more point-pairs are identified, the georeferencing function is modified for increased accuracy.

Claims

1. A method of georeferencing a raster map, comprising:

receiving a display of a first map and a second map, the first map being a digital raster map, the second map being a previously georeferenced map;

receiving a manipulation of the first map such that the first map and the second map are approximately aligned;

displaying the first map and the second map;

receiving a selection of a point pair point on the first map; and

receiving a selection of a corresponding point pair point on the second map.

2. The method of

claim 1

further comprising receiving a verification that the point pair point on the first map is correctly associated with the point pair point on the second map.

3. The method of

claim 1

wherein receiving a manipulation places the first map within the second map.

4. The method of

claim 1

further comprising providing a longitude and latitude to the point pair point on the second map.

5. The method of

claim 1

wherein the point pair point on the second map has a known longitude and latitude.

6. The method of

claim 1

further comprising generating a georeferencing function.

7. The method of

claim 1

further comprising providing an identification of a plurality of point pair points.

8. The method of

claim 1

further comprising the act of receiving a mark on a point on the first map, the point on the first map being automatically reproduced on the second map.

9. The method of

claim 8

further comprising receiving a correction of the reproduced mark.

10. The method of

claim 1

further comprising selecting a predefined georeferencing function to associate a point on the first map with a point on the second map.

11. A computer readable medium whose contents transform a computer system into a raster map georeferencing system, by:

receiving a display of a first map and a second map, the first map being a digital raster map, the second map being a previously georeferenced map;

receiving a manipulation of the first map such that the first map and the second map are approximately aligned;

displaying the first map and the second map;

receiving a selection of a point pair point on the first map; and

receiving a selection of a corresponding point pair point on the second map.

12. The computer readable medium of

claim 11

wherein the contents of the computer readable medium are also capable of verifying that the point pair point on the first map is correctly associated with the point pair point on the second map.

13. The computer readable medium of

claim 11

, wherein the contents of the computer readable medium are also capable of incorporating a plurality of point pair points.

14. The computer readable medium of

claim 11

wherein the contents of the computer readable medium are also capable of allowing a user to mark a point on the first map, the point on the first map being automatically reproduced on the second map.

15. The computer readable medium of

claim 11

wherein the contents of the computer readable medium are also capable of providing a longitude and latitude to the point pair point on the second map.

16. A computer memory containing a data structure capable of enabling the georeferencing of a raster map, the data structure changing a general computing platform into a specific computing machine, by:

receiving a display of a first map and a second map, the first map being a digital raster map, the second map being a previously georeferenced map;

receiving a manipulation of the first map such that the first map and the second map are approximately aligned;

displaying the first map and the second map;

receiving a selection of a point pair point on the first map; and

receiving a selection of a corresponding point pair point on the second map.

17. The computer memory of

claim 16

wherein the data structure verifies that the point pair point on the first map is correctly associated with the point pair point on the second map.

18. The computer memory of

claim 16

, wherein the data structure supports the providing of a parality of point pair points.

19. The computer memory of

claim 16

wherein data structure marks a point on the first map, the point on the first map being automatically reproduced on the second map.

20. The computer memory of

claim 16

wherein the data structure provides longitude and latitude to the point pair point on the second map