METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR CREATING AND USING A LOCATION IDENTIFICATION GRID

• US 20170268889A1
• Filed: 06/01/2017
• Published: 09/21/2017
• 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., Schulz, Kurt J.
• Granted Patent: US 10,113,876 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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 for creating a location identification grid, the method comprising:

identifying an area corresponding to a pre-existing area;

selecting one of the pre-existing areas and sub-dividing the selected pre-existing area into a first plurality of areas within the selected pre-existing area;

sub-dividing one of the first plurality of areas within the selected pre-existing area into a second plurality of areas within the one of the first plurality of areas;

associating delivery points contained within the second plurality of areas with identifiers corresponding to the first plurality of areas and the second plurality of areas; and

storing the association in a database for access by a user.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the pre-existing area comprises at least one of a zip code, a postal code, and an area code.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the pre-existing area is defined by a polar coordinate system.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the pre-existing area is defined by a Cartesian grid system.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the pre-existing area is irregularly shaped.

6. A method for generating a location identification grid, the method comprising:

receiving a request for location information for a physical location;

identifying an area corresponding to a pre-existing area containing the physical location;

selecting the pre-existing area containing the physical location;

sub-dividing the selected pre-existing area containing the physical location into a first plurality of sub-divided areas;

identifying the one of the first plurality of sub-divided areas containing the physical location;

sub-dividing the identified one of the first plurality of sub-divided areas to -generate a second plurality of sub-divided areas;

identifying the one of the second plurality of sub-divided areas containing the physical location;

storing the first plurality of sub-divided areas and the second plurality of sub-divided areas in a database;

associating the physical location of the one of the first plurality of sub-divided areas and the one of the second plurality of sub-divided areas; and

transmitting an identifier corresponding to the one of the first plurality of sub-divided areas and the one of the second plurality of sub-divided areas containing the physical location.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the pre-existing areas comprises at least one of a zip code, a postal code, and an area code.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the pre-existing area is irregularly shaped.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the physical location is a delivery location.

10. A method for creating a location identification grid, the method comprising:

storing information relating to a plurality of geographic regions;

requesting physical location information of a desired destination from a user;

determining, from the plurality of geographic regions, a geographic region containing the requested physical location;

dividing the geographic region containing the requested physical location into a plurality of second geographic areas comprised of a plurality of first parallel lines and a plurality of second parallel lines, wherein the plurality of first parallel lines intersects with the plurality of second parallel lines, and wherein the plurality of first parallel lines and plurality of second parallel lines define the second plurality of geographic areas;

selecting a geographic area containing the requested physical location from the second plurality of geographic areas; and

transmitting information for the geographic area containing the physical location to the user.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the pre-existing area comprises at least one of a zip code, a postal code, and an area code.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the physical location is a delivery location.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the plurality of first parallel lines and the plurality of second parallel lines define a rectangular coordinate system.