US6873998B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System and method for updating a geographic database using satellite imagery
Assignee: Here Global BV
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Filing: 2000-10-18
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Granted: 2005-03-29
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Expires: 2020-10-18
Abstract
Abstract A reporting program and system for updating a master copy of a geographic database is disclosed. According to the method and system, reports are obtained that relate to data contained in a geographic database. Satellite images of the geographic locations represented by the data in the reports are obtained. The satellite images are analyzed to confirm a need to make changes to the master copy of the geographic database based on the reports. After confirming the need to make, the changes, the master copy of the geographic database is updated.
Inventors
- 👤 Ole Henry Dorum
- 👤 John Hanson
- 👤 Lawrence M. Kaplan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-10 02:36
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F16/00; G06F16/20; G06F16/29; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/912; Y10S707/918; Y10S707/99931; Y10S707/99941; Y10S707/99944; Y10S707/99945; Y10S707/99948; Y10S707/99951; Y10S707/99952; Y10S707/99953
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 34
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
A method for updating a master copy of a geographic database comprising: obtaining a report about errors in data that represent geographic features; identifying a location of at least one of said errors; determining whether said report is suitable for confirmation by satellite imagery; if said report is suitable for confirmation by satellite imagery, obtaining a satellite image containing said location of said error; and determining from the satellite image appropriate changes to make to the master copy of the geographic database to correct said error in said data that represent said geographic feature.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
94 words
A method for updating a master copy of a geographic database comprising: obtaining a report about errors in data that represent geographic features; identifying a location of at least one of said errors; determining whether said report is suitable for confirmation by satellite imagery; if said report is suitable for confirmation by satellite imagery, obtaining a satellite image containing said location of said error; and determining from the satellite image appropriate changes to make to the master copy of the geographic database to correct said error in said data that represent said geographic feature.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising: prior to the step of obtaining, grouping reports about errors that relate to the same geographic feature.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising: prior to the step of obtaining, grouping repots about errors that relate to the same geographic feature so that only one satellite image needs to be obtained to determine the appropriate change to make to the master copy of the geographic database with respect to the data that represent that geographic feature.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising: prior to the step of obtaining, grouping reports about errors that relate to geographic features that are located close to each other so that only one satellite image needs to be obtained to determine the appropriate changes to make to the master copy of the geographic database with respect to the data that represent those geographic features.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising: assigning a higher priority to reports about errors that relate to the same geographic feature.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
86 words
A method of updating a master copy of a geographic database comprising: obtaining a report relating to at least one geographic feature; identifying a location corresponding to said report; determining whether said report is suitable for confirmation by satellite imagery; if said report is suitable for confirmation by satellite imagery, obtaining a satellite image of the location corresponding to said report; analyzing the satellite image to determine how to update the master copy of the geographic database; and updating the master copy of the geographic database.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
86 words
A method of updating a master copy of a geographic database comprising: obtaining a report relating to at least one geographic feature; identifying a location corresponding to said report; determining whether said report is suitable for confirmation by satellite imagery; if said report is suitable for confirmation by satellite imagery, obtaining a satellite image of the location corresponding to said report; analyzing the satellite image to determine how to update the master copy of the geographic database; and updating the master copy of the geographic database.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the satellite image is obtained by ordering from a commercial satellite image provider.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 6 further comprising the step of: prior to obtaining the satellite image, confirming that a current satellite image is not available in a satellite image archive; and then ordering the satellite image from a commercial satellite image provider.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the satellite image has at least approximately 1 meter accuracy.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 6 further comprising the step of: after the step of obtaining the satellite image, displaying the satellite image at a workstation of a geographic database developer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 10 further comprising: indicating a position on the satellite image being displayed wherein the position corresponds to the reported geographic location.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 6 further comprising: indicating latitude and longitude coordinates corresponding to a position of a movable cursor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method of claim 6 further comprising: while displaying the satellite image at a workstation of a geographic database researcher, displaying geographic features represented by data contained in the master copy of the geographic database at a workstation indicating a position on the satellite image being displayed wherein the position corresponds to the reported geographic location.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 13 further comprising: overlaying the geographic features represented by the data contained in the master copy of the geographic database over the satellite image being displayed at the workstation.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 13 further comprising: displaying the geographic features represented by the data contained in the master copy of the geographic database and the satellite image side-by-side on the workstation.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 10 further comprising: while displaying the satellite image at a workstation of a geographic database developer, displaying the report submitted by an end user including explanatory text provided therewith.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 6 further comprising: providing an on-line program accessible to the end users; and with the on-line program, allowing the end user to submit the report.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said satellite image is obtained from an archive.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 18 further comprising: prior to analyzing said satellite image, confirming that said satellite image was taken recently enough depending on a type of updating to be made to said master copy of said geographic database.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the satellite image is obtained from a central server of a geographic database developer.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 6 further comprising: defining a grid that overlays a geographic coverage area corresponding to said geographic database, wherein said satellite image corresponds to a cell of said grid.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the report relates to roadway geometry.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the report relates to a placement of a roadway divider.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the report relates to a number of roadway lanes.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the report relates to roadway lane widths.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the report relates to roadway direction restrictions.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the report relates to a turn restriction along a road.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the report relates to whether a road is paved.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the report relates to a lake, river, park, or recreational area.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
109 words
A method of updating a geographic database including data that represents geographic feature in a geographic region comprising: obtaining a report indicating a location of an error in data representing the geographic feature in the geographic region; determining whether said report relates to a type of error that is suitable for confirmation by satellite imagery; if said report does relate to the type of error that is suitable for confirmation by satellite imagery, obtaining a satellite image of the location; analyzing the satellite image to determine a correction to the data, said correction to the data accurately representing the geographic feature; and updating the geographic database with the correction.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
109 words
A method of updating a geographic database including data that represents geographic feature in a geographic region comprising: obtaining a report indicating a location of an error in data representing the geographic feature in the geographic region; determining whether said report relates to a type of error that is suitable for confirmation by satellite imagery; if said report does relate to the type of error that is suitable for confirmation by satellite imagery, obtaining a satellite image of the location; analyzing the satellite image to determine a correction to the data, said correction to the data accurately representing the geographic feature; and updating the geographic database with the correction.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 30 further comprising: if said report does not relate to a type of error that is suitable for confirmation by satellite imagery, designating the location for review by field inspection.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2008-03-28 | 2008-09-27 | 2009-03-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2012-03-28 | 2012-09-27 | 2013-03-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2016-03-28 | 2016-09-27 | 2017-03-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |