Enhanced positional accuracy in geocoding by dynamic interpolation
A method and apparatus that improves the positional accuracy of a geocoded point in comparison to traditional goecoding methods and geocoders. The method and apparatus utilize ground truth data (when available) in conjunction with address range information for a given segment to achieve positional accuracy not currently achievable in the prior art.
1. A computer-implemented dynamic geocoding method comprising the steps of:
inputting an address to be geocoded; and
determining if a street vector match was found in a georeferenced address dictionary;
if it is determined that there was a street vector match, said method further comprises:
inputting an address range and associated coordinates from the Street vector match,
determining if external point data associated with the matched street vector exists, and
if it is determined that there is external point data, interpolating coordinates of the input address based upon the address range coordinates associated with the matched Street vector and the external point data.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein a source of the external point data is a user-defined data dictionary.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein a source of the external point data is a network-based resource.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein a source of the external point data is an Internet-based resource.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein if it is determined that there is no external point data, the method comprises the step of interpolating coordinates of the input address based upon the address range coordinates associated with the matched street vector.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein if it is determined that there was no street vector match, the method comprises the step of comparing the input address to non-georeferenced postal data.
7. A geocoding system for determining coordinates of addresses, the system comprising:
means for inputting an address to be geocoded;
means for determining if a street vector match was found in a georeferenced address dictionary; and
means for, if it is determined that there was a street vector match, inputting an address range and associated coordinates from the street vector match, and for determining if external point data associated with the matched street vector exists, and means for, if it is determined that there is external point data, interpolating coordinates of the input address based upon the address range coordinates associated with the matched street vector and the external point data.
8. The system of claim 7 , wherein a source of the external point data is a user-defined data dictionary.
9. The system of claim 7 , wherein a source of the external point data is a network-based resource.
10. The system of claim 7 , wherein a source of the external point data is an Internet-based resource.
11. The system of claim 7 , further comprising means for interpolating coordinates of the input address based upon the address range coordinates associated with the matched street vector, wherein there is no external point data.
12. The system of claim 7 , further comprising means for comparing the input address to non-georeferenced postal data, when there is no street vector match.
13. A geocoding system for determining coordinates of addresses, the system comprising:
a georeferenced address dictionary comprising street vectors and associated coordinates and address range for each street vector;
at least one external address point or collection of address point data in a dictionary comprising such points and associated latitude/longitude coordinates for each point; and
a processor in communication with the georeferenced address dictionary and the at least one external address point or dictionary of address points, said processor for inputting an address to be geocoded, determining if a street vector match was found in said georeferenced address dictionary, inputting an address range and associated coordinates from the street vector match, searching the at least one external address point or dictionary of address points to determine if external point data associated with the matched street vector exists, and if it is determined that there is external point data, for interpolating coordinates of the input address based upon the address range coordinates associated with the matched street vector and the external point data.
14. The system of claim 13 , wherein the at least one external address point or dictionary of address points comprises a user-defined dictionary and a network-based dictionary.
15. The system of claim 13 , wherein the processor is configured to search the at least one external address point or dictionary of address points in a real time manner.
16. A computer readable storage medium comprising computer instructions, the computer instructions when executed by a processor causes the processor to execute a geocoding method comprising the steps of:
inputting an address to be geocoded; and
determining if a street vector match was found in a georeferenced address dictionary;
if it is determined that there was a street vector match said geocoding method further comprises:
inputting an address range and associated coordinates from the street vector match,
determining if external point data associated with the matched street vector exists,
if it is determined that there is external point data, interpolating coordinates of the input address based upon the address range coordinates associated with the matched street vector and the external point data, and
if it is determined that there is no external point data, interpolating coordinates of the input address based upon the address range coordinates associated with the matched street vector.