System and method for the selection of a unique geographic feature
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented method for selecting a unique geographic feature, the method comprising the steps of:
- inputting data to a computer representing a user position;
inputting data to the computer representing a user orientation;
defining with the computer and a database connected thereto a polygon in response to the user position data and the user orientation data, with the polygon having a defined length that is defined as a function of a density of geographic features enclosed within the polygon;
providing to the computer from the database connected thereto a set of geographic features coinciding with the polygon;
filtering with the computer and the database connected thereto the set of geographic features to determine a most likely unique geographic feature, with filtering including determining whether a selected geographic feature is selectable by the polygon; and
selecting with the computer and the database connected thereto the most likely unique geographic feature coinciding with the polygon and returning to a user at least identifying information relating to the unique geographic feature.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention includes a system and method for selecting a unique geographic feature, including a mobile device that uses position and orientation sensors to determine a user position and a user orientation. The mobile device is adapted for wireless communication with a database that houses or has access to data concerning geographic features, as well as processing and computing means for calculating specific geographic relations discussed in further detail below. The system of the present invention further includes means for selecting among those features that are topologically related to the polygon. These include means for defining the geometry of the polygon, means for filtering those features that should not be within the geometry of the polygon, and means for ranking those features within the polygon. The method of the present invention is operable in conjunction with the system through the system hardware and software.
76 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method for selecting a unique geographic feature, the method comprising the steps of:
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inputting data to a computer representing a user position; inputting data to the computer representing a user orientation; defining with the computer and a database connected thereto a polygon in response to the user position data and the user orientation data, with the polygon having a defined length that is defined as a function of a density of geographic features enclosed within the polygon; providing to the computer from the database connected thereto a set of geographic features coinciding with the polygon; filtering with the computer and the database connected thereto the set of geographic features to determine a most likely unique geographic feature, with filtering including determining whether a selected geographic feature is selectable by the polygon; and selecting with the computer and the database connected thereto the most likely unique geographic feature coinciding with the polygon and returning to a user at least identifying information relating to the unique geographic feature. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A computer-implemented method for selecting a unique geographic feature, the method comprising the steps of:
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inputting to a computer data representing a user position; inputting to the computer data representing a user orientation; defining with the computer and the database connected thereto a polygon in response to the user position data and the user orientation data; providing to the computer from the database connected thereto a set of geographic features coinciding with the polygon; filtering with the computer and the database connected thereto the set of geographic features to determine a unique geographic feature, with filtering including determining whether a selected geographic feature is selectable by the polygon; ranking with the computer and the database connected thereto the set of geographic features in such a manner that a highly ranked feature is a most likely selection of the user; and selecting with the computer and the database connected thereto a highest ranked geographic feature from among highly ranked geographic features coinciding with the polygon and returning to a user at least identifying information relating to the highest ranked geographic feature. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification