JP7515531B2 - Computer system, processing method, and program - Google Patents

Description

One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a computer system, a processing method, a program, and/or a data structure.

Patent Document 1 describes a coordinate assignment device that associates position coordinates based on address information. This device includes a coordinate identification unit that refers to a database in which address information and position coordinates are previously associated, and identifies the position coordinates of a representative point that corresponds to input address information by searching while allowing partial matches, an index setting unit that sets an accuracy index that indicates the accuracy of the result of identifying the position coordinates, and an output unit that outputs the position coordinates and the accuracy index.

Japanese Patent No. 4249929

One aspect of the present disclosure aims to accurately estimate the current address of a feature.

A computer system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a control unit that estimates a latest feature address from an input feature address by using both an updated map database including a plurality of combinations of a latest feature address, which is a latest feature address in a certain geographical area, and latest feature coordinates, which are position coordinates corresponding to the latest feature address, and a reference database including a plurality of combinations of a reference feature address, which is a feature address different from the latest feature address, in the same geographical area, and a reference feature coordinates, which are position coordinates corresponding to the reference feature address, and the control unit estimates a latest feature address from an input feature address by using the latest map database. A pre-identification process is performed to identify the latest feature address to be used, and if the degree of match, which is the degree of match between the latest feature address identified in the pre-identification process and the input feature address, does not satisfy a given standard, (i) the reference database is used to identify the reference feature address and reference feature coordinates corresponding to the input feature address, (ii) the latest feature coordinates corresponding to the identified reference feature coordinates are identified using the latest map database, and (iii) the latest feature address corresponding to the identified latest feature coordinates is estimated to be the latest feature address corresponding to the input feature address .

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the current address of a feature can be estimated with high accuracy.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of an address management system. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a computer used in the address management system. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure performed by the address management system. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of matching using the latest building map. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of matching using a past building map and a latest building map. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of matching using the latest land map and the latest building map. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of matching using a past land map and a latest building map.

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the drawings, identical or equivalent elements are given the same reference numerals, and duplicate descriptions will be omitted.

[System Overview]
In one example, a computer system according to the present disclosure is applied to an address management system 10. The address management system 10 is a computer system that estimates a current feature address from an input feature address.

A feature is any tangible or intangible object that exists on the ground. A feature may be natural or man-made. For example, features may include mountains, farmland, residential areas, vacant lots, rivers, lakes, oceans, tourist sites, roads, railways, buildings, parks, towers, traffic lights, railroad crossings, pedestrian crossings, footbridges, buoys, etc. Examples of intangible features include areas set up for any purpose (e.g. no-photography areas, temporary no-entry areas, etc.), areas where events are held, meeting places, photo spots, etc.

In this disclosure, a feature address is an identifier that identifies the location of a feature, and is expressed using the name of an administrative district. For example, a feature address is expressed using the prefecture name, city, ward, town, and village name, and a specified number system. A feature address may be a building address that identifies the location of a building, or a land address that identifies the location of land. A building address indicates the location of a building of any type and any size that is constructed artificially. A land address indicates the location of natural or artificial land. In Japan, a building address is written in either a house address format or a land number format. A house address format refers to a format that uses a block code and a house number, for example, the end of a number is "11-ban-5-go". A land number format address refers to a format that uses a land number, for example, the end of a number is "1230-banchi". In Japan, a land address is written in a format that uses a land number. A building address and a land address may or may not match. In a place where no building exists, there is a land address but no building address. In many cases, the area of a building does not match the land unit. For example, if there are multiple buildings on one piece of land, multiple building addresses will correspond to one land address (lot number). If a group of buildings is built across two or more pieces of land, multiple land addresses (lot numbers) will correspond to one building address.

Feature addresses can change over time due to various factors such as the construction, demolition, and reconstruction of buildings, changes in administrative divisions (e.g., mergers of municipalities, transition from addresses based on lot numbers to addresses based on residential addresses, changes in town or village names, changes in town or village boundaries, etc.), land readjustment, subdivision or consolidation of land, etc. As a result, the address data managed by the user may become outdated and no longer match reality. Address cleansing is known, which improves data quality by correcting or updating such old address data. Address cleansing using map information showing the latest feature address makes it possible to estimate the current feature address from the input feature address and to determine whether the input feature address matches reality. However, depending on the relationship between the time when the input feature address (hereinafter also referred to as the "target address") was set and the time when the latest map information was prepared, there is a limit to the accuracy of matching the target address with the current feature address using only the latest map information.

The address management system 10 estimates the current feature address from the input feature address by referring to not only the latest map information but also other map information that is at least partially different from the latest map information. By referring to multiple types of map information, it becomes possible to estimate the current feature address with greater accuracy. In one example, the address management system 10 estimates the current feature address from the input feature address by referring to both a first database that stores first map information indicating each latest feature address and a second database that stores second map information that is at least partially different from the first map information.

[System Configuration]
1 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of an address management system 10. In one example, the address management system 10 can access a database group 20 via a communication network to read and write data. The address management system 10 may be configured by a personal computer or a large computer such as a business server. The address management system 10 may be configured by one or a plurality of computers. When a plurality of computers are used, the address management system 10 is configured by connecting these computers to each other via a communication network.

In one example, the address management system 10 has functional modules including an acquisition unit 11, a matching unit 12, and an output unit 13. Each of these functional modules constitutes at least a part of the control unit. The acquisition unit 11 is a functional module that acquires individual feature addresses shown in the address list as target addresses. The matching unit 12 is a functional module that estimates the current feature address from the target address. The output unit 13 is a functional module that outputs the estimation result, i.e., the cleansed address list.

The database group 20 is a collection of databases that store data used in the address management system 10. A database is a non-transient storage medium or storage device that permanently stores electronic data. Each database may be constructed as part of the address management system 10, or may be provided in a computer system separate from the address management system 10.

In one example, the database group 20 includes a latest building map database 21, a past building map database 22, a latest cadastral map database 23, and a past cadastral map database 24. Each of these databases is an example of a database that stores map information indicating individual feature addresses. However, at least a portion of the map information differs between the individual databases. In one example, the map information of each database indicates an individual combination of feature addresses and feature coordinates. Feature coordinates are values that indicate the geographical position of a feature, and indicate a representative position such as the center of the feature. Feature coordinates may be expressed using latitude and longitude, or may be set according to other coordinate systems. Each data record of the map information in each database indicates, for example, a combination such as a feature address "3-1 Nakahara Shinmachi, Tobata-ku, Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture" and feature coordinates "latitude: 33.90, longitude: 130.84". In the following, building coordinates indicating the geographical position of a building and land coordinates indicating the geographical position of a piece of land are shown as examples of feature coordinates.

The building map database stores building map information indicating individual building addresses. In one example, the building map information indicates individual combinations of building addresses and building coordinates. An example of building map information is a residential map. The latest building map database 21 stores latest building map information indicating individual combinations of latest building addresses and latest building coordinates. The past building map database 22 stores past building map information indicating individual combinations of past building addresses and past building coordinates. If the time when the latest building map information was prepared is a first time period, the time when the past building map information was prepared is a second time period prior to the first time period. Please note that there may be buildings whose addresses and coordinates do not change between the latest building map information and the past building map information.

The cadastral map database stores information such as cadastral maps, land improvement maps, and maps created by the Legal Affairs Bureau, which indicate individual land addresses. In this disclosure, the term "cadastral map" may include not only cadastral maps, but also cadastral maps, land improvement maps, and maps created by the Legal Affairs Bureau, and the term "cadastral map information" may include not only cadastral maps, but also cadastral maps, land improvement maps, and maps created by the Legal Affairs Bureau. In one example, the cadastral map information indicates individual combinations of land addresses and land coordinates. An example of cadastral map information in Japan is Blue Map (registered trademark). The latest cadastral map database 23 stores latest cadastral map information indicating individual combinations of the latest land addresses and the latest land coordinates. The past cadastral map database 24 stores past cadastral map information indicating individual combinations of the past land addresses and the past land coordinates. If the time when the latest cadastral map information was prepared is the first time, the time when the past cadastral map information was prepared is the second time before the first time. Please note that there may be land whose address and coordinates do not change between the latest cadastral map information and the past cadastral map information.

The data records of each database in database group 20 may include other data items in addition to the feature address and feature coordinates. Examples of such additional data items include the name of the building occupant or user, the name of the land owner or user, the building name, type (e.g., detached house, apartment building, store, store/residential building), shape, or location, and a telephone number.

2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a computer 110 used in the address management system 10. For example, the computer 110 has a control circuit 100. In one example, the control circuit 100 has one or more processors 101, a memory 102, a storage 103, a communication port 104, and an input/output port 105. The processor 101 executes an operating system and application programs. The storage 103 is composed of a storage medium such as a hard disk, a non-volatile semiconductor memory, or a removable medium (e.g., a magnetic disk, an optical disk, etc.), and stores the operating system and application programs. The memory 102 temporarily stores a program loaded from the storage 103 or the results of calculations by the processor 101. The processor 101 functions as an individual functional module by executing a program in cooperation with the memory 102. The communication port 104 performs data communication with other devices via the communication network NW according to instructions from the processor 101. The input/output port 105 performs input/output of electrical signals between input/output devices (user interfaces) such as a keyboard, mouse, monitor, and touch panel in accordance with instructions from the processor 101.

The program for causing the computer 110 to function as a control unit of the address management system 10 includes program code for realizing each functional module of the address management system 10. The program may be provided in a state where it is permanently recorded on a non-transitory recording medium such as a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, or semiconductor memory. Alternatively, the program may be provided via a communications network as a data signal superimposed on a carrier wave. The provided program is stored in the storage 103. The processor 101 works in cooperation with the memory 102 to execute the program, thereby realizing the control unit, i.e., the individual functional modules.

In one example, the address management system 10 executes a program that causes a second control unit different from the first control unit to execute a reference step that references various data in the database group 20 in response to an instruction from the first control unit (e.g., the matching unit 12). For example, this program is implemented as an application programming interface (API). The first control unit and the second control unit are both functional modules and are realized on a processor. The processor on which the first control unit is executed and the processor on which the second control unit is executed may be the same or different. For example, at least one of the first control unit and the second control unit is realized on the processor 101.

[System procedure]
An example of a processing procedure by the address management system 10 will be described with reference to Figures 3 to 7. Figure 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure as a processing flow S1. Figures 4 to 7 are all flowcharts showing examples of individual matching processes. Figure 4 shows matching using the latest building map. Figure 5 shows matching using a past building map and the latest building map. Figure 6 shows matching using the latest land map and the latest building map. Figure 7 shows matching using a past land map and the latest building map.

In the following, processing flow S1 will be described assuming that the target address is a building address. In processing flow S1, the address management system 10 uses the latest building map database 21 as the first database and processes the latest building map information as the first map information. Therefore, the first feature address is the latest building address, and the first feature coordinates are the latest building coordinates. Furthermore, the address management system 10 uses the past building map database 22, the latest cadastral map database 23, and the past cadastral map database 24 as the second database and processes the past building map information, the latest cadastral map information, and the past cadastral map information as the second map information. If the second map information is past building map information, the second feature address is the past building address, and the second feature coordinates are the past building coordinates. If the second map information is the latest cadastral map information, the second feature address is the latest land address, and the second feature coordinates are the latest land coordinates. If the second map information is past cadastral map information, the second feature address is the past land address, and the second feature coordinates are the past land coordinates.

In step S11, the acquisition unit 11 acquires an address list and accepts each building address shown in the address list as a target address. For example, the acquisition unit 11 may receive an address list specified by a user, who is an individual or group using the address management system 10, from a user terminal, or may read the address list to be processed from a specified database.

In the following, each line in the address list is referred to as a record, and one record indicates one building address (target address). Each record may contain additional data items. Examples of additional data items include the name of a resident, owner, user, etc., a telephone number, and the name, type, shape, or location of the building.

In step S12, the matching unit 12 matches the address list with the latest building map information. This process will be explained with reference to Figure 4.

In step S121, the matching unit 12 selects one target address from the address list.

In step S122, the matching unit 12 refers to the latest building map information to identify the latest building address that corresponds to the target address. The matching unit 12 accesses the latest building map database 21 to identify the latest building address that has the highest degree of match of the character string with the target address. The matching unit 12 may identify the latest building address that completely matches the target address, or may identify the latest building address that matches only part of the target address.

In step S123, the matching unit 12 estimates the accuracy of the identified latest building address. This accuracy is an index indicating the likelihood that the latest building address is actually the current building address. The method of setting and expressing the accuracy may be designed according to any policy. In one example, the matching unit 12 sets the accuracy at the following five levels corresponding to the address hierarchy. Level 0 indicates a perfect match, and the other levels indicate a partial match. The accuracy decreases as the level moves from 0 to 4.
- Level 0: The latest building address matches the target address exactly, including the house number or lot number.
- Level 1: The latest building address matches the target address up to the block code.
- Level 2: The latest building address matches the target address down to the street name.
- Level 3: The latest building address matches the target address down to the city, town, or village name.
・Level 4: The latest building address matches the target address only in the prefecture name.

For example, assume that the target address is "1-1, Y-cho, X-city, Fukuoka Prefecture." If "1-1, Y-cho, X-city, Fukuoka Prefecture" is identified as the latest building address from the latest building map database 21, the matching unit 12 estimates the accuracy to be level 0. If "1-2, Y-cho, X-city, Fukuoka Prefecture" is identified as the latest building address, the matching unit 12 estimates the accuracy to be level 1. If "2-1, Y-cho, X-city, Fukuoka Prefecture" is identified as the latest building address, the matching unit 12 estimates the accuracy to be level 2. If "4-1, Z-cho, X-city, Fukuoka Prefecture" is identified as the latest building address, the matching unit 12 estimates the accuracy to be level 3. If "1-1, R-cho, Q-ku, P-city, Fukuoka Prefecture" is identified as the latest building address, the matching unit 12 estimates the accuracy to be level 4.

The matching unit 12 may adjust the estimated accuracy based on additional data items other than the building address (such as name, telephone number, building name, type, shape, or location). For example, the matching unit 12 may increase the estimated accuracy by a predetermined amount (e.g., one level) when the additional data items corresponding to the target address match the additional data items corresponding to the latest building address. For names, the matching unit 12 may consider a match to be a "match" even if only one of the first and last names matches in the case of personal names, and may consider a match to be a "match" even if only the name excluding the corporate status, such as "Company name" or "General incorporated association," matches in the case of corporate names.

As shown in step S124, the matching unit 12 performs matching of all target addresses in the address list with the latest building map information. If there are unprocessed target addresses (NO in step S124), the process returns to step S121, and the matching unit 12 selects the next target address from the address list and performs steps S122 and S123 for that target address. If all target addresses have been processed (YES in step S124), the matching unit 12 ends step S12. In one example, the matching unit 12 performs step S12 to include in each record of the address list a correspondence between the target address, the identified latest building address, and the estimated accuracy. If the accuracy is adjusted, the matching unit 12 may further include in the record a reason for the adjustment (e.g., additional data items that match between the address list and the latest building map information).

Returning to FIG. 3, in step S13, the matching unit 12 determines whether there is a record with low accuracy of the latest building address. The matching unit 12 determines whether the accuracy of each record meets a given criterion. For records whose accuracy meets the criterion, i.e., records with high accuracy, the matching unit 12 estimates the identified latest building address as the current building address. On the other hand, for records whose accuracy does not meet the criterion, i.e., records with low accuracy, the matching unit 12 reserves the estimation and estimates the current building address by further referring to the second map information in subsequent processing. When the accuracy is indicated in five levels from level 0 to level 4 as in the above example, the given criterion may be "the accuracy is level 0". In this case, the matching unit 12 determines that a record whose accuracy is any of levels 1 to 4 is a record with low accuracy. As another example, when the given criterion is "the accuracy is level 0 or level 1", the matching unit 12 determines that a record whose accuracy is any of levels 2 to 4 is a record with low accuracy.

If the accuracy of all records meets the criteria (NO in step S13), steps S14 to S18 described below are skipped and processing proceeds to step S19. On the other hand, if there are records with low accuracy (YES in step S13), processing proceeds to step S14.

In step S14, the matching unit 12 performs additional matching using the past building map information and the latest building map information. This process will be explained with reference to FIG. 5.

In step S141, the matching unit 12 selects one target address for which estimation has been withheld.

In step S142, the matching unit 12 refers to the past building map information to identify a past building address that corresponds to the target address. The matching unit 12 accesses the past building map database 22 to identify a past building address that has the highest degree of match of character strings with the target address. The matching unit 12 may identify a past building address that completely matches the target address, or may identify a past building address that matches part of the target address. In the case of a partial match, the matching unit 12 may identify multiple past building addresses. In this case, the matching unit 12 may select one building address from the multiple candidates based on additional data items.

In step S143, the matching unit 12 obtains past building coordinates corresponding to the identified past building address.

In step S144, the matching unit 12 refers to the latest building map information to identify the latest building coordinates that correspond to the acquired past building coordinates. The matching unit 12 accesses the latest building map database 21 to identify the latest building coordinates that match the past building coordinates or are closest to the past building coordinates. The matching unit 12 may identify multiple coordinates as the latest building coordinates that are closest to the past building coordinates. In this case, the matching unit 12 may select one latest building coordinate from the multiple candidates based on additional data items.

In step S145, the matching unit 12 obtains the latest building address corresponding to the latest identified building coordinates.

In step S146, the matching unit 12 estimates the accuracy of the most recent building address obtained, similar to step S123. The matching unit 12 may adjust the accuracy, similar to step S123.

As shown in step S147, the matching unit 12 performs additional matching using past building map information and latest building map information for all target addresses for which estimation has been put on hold. If there are unprocessed target addresses (NO in step S147), the process returns to step S141. The matching unit 12 performs steps S141 to S146 for the next pending target address. If all pending target addresses have been processed (YES in step S147), the matching unit 12 ends step S14. In one example, the matching unit 12 performs step S14 to include in each record of the address list the correspondence between the target address, the latest building address finally identified, and the final estimated accuracy. As a result, the latest building address and accuracy are updated for the records of the pending target addresses.

Returning to FIG. 3, in step S15, the matching unit 12 determines whether there is a record with a low accuracy of the latest building address. For the pending records, the matching unit 12 determines whether the accuracy meets a given criterion using a method similar to that of step S13. For records whose accuracy meets the criterion (records with high accuracy), the matching unit 12 estimates the latest building address obtained in step S145 as the current building address. On the other hand, for records whose accuracy does not meet the criterion (records with low accuracy), the matching unit 12 further reserves the estimation, and in subsequent processing, estimates the current building address by referring to another second map information.

If the accuracy of all the reserved records meets the criteria (NO in step S15), steps S16 to S18 described below are skipped and processing proceeds to step S19. On the other hand, if there are records with low accuracy (YES in step S15), processing proceeds to step S16.

In step S16, the matching unit 12 performs additional matching using the latest public map information and the latest building map information. This process will be explained with reference to Figure 6.

In step S161, the matching unit 12 selects one target address for which estimation is pending.

In step S162, the matching unit 12 refers to the latest cadastral map information to identify the latest land address corresponding to the target address. The matching unit 12 accesses the latest cadastral map database 23 to identify the latest land address that has the highest degree of match of character strings with the target address. The matching unit 12 may identify the latest land address that completely matches the target address, or may identify the latest land address that matches part of the target address. In the case of a partial match, the matching unit 12 may identify multiple latest land addresses. In this case, the matching unit 12 may select one land address from the multiple candidates based on additional data items.

In step S163, the matching unit 12 obtains the latest land coordinates corresponding to the latest identified land address.

In step S164, the matching unit 12 refers to the latest building map information to identify the latest building coordinates corresponding to the latest acquired land coordinates. The matching unit 12 accesses the latest building map database 21 to identify the latest building coordinates that match the latest land coordinates or are geographically closest to the latest land coordinates. The matching unit 12 may identify multiple coordinates as the latest building coordinates that are geographically closest to the latest land coordinates. In this case, the matching unit 12 may select one latest building coordinate from the multiple candidates based on an additional data item. For example, the matching unit 12 may select the building coordinates of a detached house from multiple candidates based on the type of building (detached house, apartment building, store, store/residence) as an additional data item.

In step S165, the matching unit 12 obtains the latest building address corresponding to the latest identified building coordinates.

In step S166, the matching unit 12 estimates the accuracy of the most recent building address obtained, similar to step S123. The matching unit 12 may adjust the accuracy, similar to step S123.

As shown in step S167, the matching unit 12 performs additional matching using the latest public map information and the latest building map information for all target addresses for which estimation is pending. If there are unprocessed target addresses (NO in step S167), the process returns to step S161. The matching unit 12 performs steps S161 to S166 for the next pending target address. If all pending target addresses have been processed (YES in step S167), the matching unit 12 ends step S16. In one example, the matching unit 12 performs step S16 to include in each record of the address list the correspondence between the target address, the latest building address finally identified, and the final estimated accuracy. As a result, the latest building address and accuracy are updated for the records of the pending target addresses.

Returning to FIG. 3, in step S17, the matching unit 12 determines whether there is a record with a low accuracy of the latest building address. For the pending records, the matching unit 12 determines whether the accuracy meets a given criterion using a method similar to that of step S13. For records whose accuracy meets the criterion (records with high accuracy), the matching unit 12 estimates the latest building address obtained in step S165 as the current building address. On the other hand, for records whose accuracy does not meet the criterion (records with low accuracy), the matching unit 12 further reserves the estimation, and in subsequent processing, estimates the current building address by referring to yet another second map information.

If the accuracy of all the reserved records meets the criteria (NO in step S17), step S18 described below is skipped and the process proceeds to step S19. On the other hand, if there are records with low accuracy (YES in step S17), the process proceeds to step S18.

In step S18, the matching unit 12 performs additional matching using past public map information and the latest building map information. This process is explained with reference to Figure 7.

In step S181, the matching unit 12 selects one target address for which estimation is pending.

In step S182, the matching unit 12 refers to past cadastral map information to identify a past land address corresponding to the target address. The matching unit 12 accesses the past cadastral map database 24 to identify a past land address that has the highest degree of match of character strings with the target address. The matching unit 12 may identify a past land address that completely matches the target address, or may identify a past land address that matches part of the target address. In the case of a partial match, the matching unit 12 may identify multiple past land addresses. In this case, the matching unit 12 may select one land address from the multiple candidates based on additional data items.

In step S183, the matching unit 12 obtains past land coordinates corresponding to the identified past land address.

In step S184, the matching unit 12 refers to the latest building map information to identify the latest building coordinates corresponding to the acquired past land coordinates. The matching unit 12 accesses the latest building map database 21 to identify the latest building coordinates that match the past land coordinates or are geographically closest to the past land coordinates. The matching unit 12 may identify multiple coordinates as the latest building coordinates that are geographically closest to the past land coordinates. In this case, the matching unit 12 may select one latest building coordinate from the multiple candidates based on an additional data item. For example, the matching unit 12 may select the building coordinates of a detached house from multiple candidates based on the type of building (detached house, apartment building, store, store/residence) as an additional data item.

In step S185, the matching unit 12 obtains the latest building address corresponding to the latest identified building coordinates.

In step S186, the matching unit 12 estimates the accuracy of the most recent building address obtained, similar to step S123. The matching unit 12 may adjust the accuracy, similar to step S123.

As shown in step S187, the matching unit 12 performs additional matching using past public map information and latest building map information for all target addresses for which estimation is pending. If there are unprocessed target addresses (NO in step S187), the process returns to step S181. The matching unit 12 performs steps S181 to S186 for the next pending target address. If all pending target addresses have been processed (YES in step S187), the matching unit 12 ends step S18. In one example, the matching unit 12 performs step S18 to include in each record of the address list the correspondence between the target address, the latest building address finally identified, and the final estimated accuracy. As a result, the latest building address and accuracy are updated for the records of the pending target addresses.

Returning to FIG. 3, in step S19, the output unit 13 outputs the cleansed address list. The output unit may transmit the address list to a user terminal, or may store it in a specified database. In one example, each record in the cleansed address list indicates the input building address (target address), the estimated current building address, and the accuracy. By referring to this address list, the user can check whether each building address that he or she manages matches reality, and understand how the building address has changed. The user can also find out the accuracy of the estimated current building address from the address list.

As shown in processing flow S1, in one example, the address management system 10 refers to the first feature coordinates and the second feature coordinates to determine the correspondence between the input feature address, the first feature address, and the second feature address, and estimates the first feature address corresponding to the input feature address as the current feature address.

[effect]
As described above, a computer system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a control unit that estimates a current feature address from an input feature address by referring to both a first database that stores first map information indicating each latest feature address and a second database that stores second map information that is at least partially different from the first map information.

A program according to one aspect of the present disclosure causes a computer to execute a step of estimating a current feature address from an input feature address by referring to both a first database that stores first map information indicating each latest feature address and a second database that stores second map information that is at least partially different from the first map information.

In this aspect, by referring to not only the first map information, which is the latest map information, but also the second map information that is at least partially different from the first map information, it becomes possible to estimate the current feature address with high accuracy. As a result, the possibility of converting the input feature address to the current feature address also increases.

In another aspect of the computer system, the first map information indicates each combination of a first feature address and a first feature coordinate, the second map information indicates each combination of a second feature address and a second feature coordinate, and the control unit refers to the first feature coordinate and the second feature coordinate to determine a correspondence relationship between the input feature address, the first feature address, and the second feature address, and estimates the first feature address corresponding to the input feature address as the current feature address. This configuration makes it possible to derive the positional relationship between the first feature address and the second feature address, and therefore makes it possible to more accurately identify the correspondence relationship between the input feature address, the first feature address, and the second feature address. As a result, the current feature address can be estimated with greater accuracy.

In another aspect of the computer system, the control unit may refer to the second map information to identify a second feature address and second feature coordinates corresponding to the input feature address, refer to the first map information to identify first feature coordinates corresponding to the identified second feature coordinates, and estimate the first feature address corresponding to the identified first feature coordinates as the current feature address. After obtaining a clue to the latest feature address by referring to the second map information, the first feature address can be obtained based on the feature coordinates, thereby enabling the current feature address to be estimated with high accuracy.

In another aspect of the computer system, the control unit may refer to the first map information to identify a first feature address corresponding to the input feature address, estimate the accuracy of the identified first feature address, and if the estimated accuracy meets a given standard, estimate the identified first feature address as the current feature address without referring to the second map information, and if the estimated accuracy does not meet the standard, may refer to the first map information and the second map information to estimate the first feature address corresponding to the identified first feature coordinates as the current feature address. By estimating the current feature address using this procedure, the second map information is referenced only when necessary, making it possible to accurately estimate the current feature address while minimizing the processing load of the computer system.

In another aspect of the computer system, the first map information may indicate an individual combination of the latest feature address and the latest feature coordinates prepared in a first period, the second map information may indicate an individual combination of past feature addresses and past feature coordinates prepared in a second period prior to the first period, and the control unit may estimate the latest feature address corresponding to the input feature address as the current feature address. By referring to past map information in addition to the latest map information, the current feature address can be estimated with high accuracy using the history of changes to the feature addresses as a clue.

In another aspect of the computer system, the first map information may indicate each combination of the latest building address and the latest building coordinates, the second map information may indicate each combination of the land address and the land coordinates, and the control unit may estimate the latest building address corresponding to the input building address as the current feature address. By referring to the land address in addition to the latest building address, the current feature address can be accurately estimated using differences in the feature address systems as a clue.

[Modification]
The present disclosure has been described in detail above based on the embodiments. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments. The present disclosure can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

When the target address is a land address, the address management system 10 can estimate the latest land address corresponding to the input land address as the current land address by a processing procedure similar to that of processing flow S1. By estimating the current land address (lot number), it becomes possible to grasp the status of the land itself, such as subdivision, consolidation, land use history, and the presence or absence of soil contamination. This estimation can also facilitate management of non-building features (e.g., septic tanks, disaster prevention radios, disaster prevention warehouses, fire brigade hangars, reservoirs, fences for bird and animal damage control, fire hydrants, fire water tanks, parks, signs, security lights, street lights, garbage stations, solar panels, etc.), or management of various information such as registries and building plans created or maintained at the land address (lot number).

When estimating the current land address, the address management system 10 uses the latest cadastral map database 23 as the first database and processes the latest cadastral map information as the first map information. Therefore, the first feature address is the latest land address, and the first feature coordinates are the latest land coordinates. Furthermore, the address management system 10 uses the past cadastral map database 24, the latest building map database 21, and the past building map database 22 as the second database and processes the past cadastral map information, the latest building map information, and the past building map information as the second map information. If the second map information is past cadastral map information, the second feature address is the past land address, and the second feature coordinates are the past land coordinates. If the second map information is the latest building map information, the second feature address is the latest building address, and the second feature coordinates are the latest building coordinates. If the second map information is past building map information, the second feature address is the past building address, and the second feature coordinates are the past building coordinates.

In the above process flow S1, the address management system 10 uses the past building map database 22, the latest cadastral map database 23, and the past cadastral map database 24 as the second databases. However, the address management system 10 may use any one or two of these three databases as the second databases. In other words, the number of second databases used by the computer system is not limited.

In the above process flow S1, the address management system 10 references the past building map database 22, the latest cadastral map database 23, and the past cadastral map database 24 as second databases in that order. However, when multiple second databases are used, the computer system may reference each second database in any order.

There may be multiple databases of past map information used as the second database across multiple generations. In other words, multiple past versions of databases may exist for a single type of map information. In this case, the computer system uses each past version of the database as the second database. For example, the computer system may infer the current feature address from the input feature address by sequentially referencing the multiple past versions of the database going back in time.

For purposes of this disclosure, a first computer transmitting data or information "to" a second computer means that the first computer transmits data or information to the second computer either directly or through at least one communications device (i.e., indirectly).

The computer system according to the present disclosure may be realized by a standalone computer equipped with a group of databases.

In this disclosure, the expression "at least one processor executes a first process, executes a second process, ... executes an nth process" or a corresponding expression indicates a concept including cases where the entity executing the n processes from the first process to the nth process (i.e., the processor) changes midway. In other words, this expression indicates a concept including both cases where all n processes are executed by the same processor and cases where the processor changes among the n processes according to an arbitrary policy.

When comparing the magnitude of two numbers within a computer system, either of the two criteria "greater than or equal to" and "greater than" may be used, or either of the two criteria "less than or equal to" and "less than". The choice of criteria does not change the technical significance of the process of comparing the magnitude of two numbers.

The processing procedure of the method executed by at least one processor is not limited to the example in the above embodiment. For example, some of the steps (processing) described above may be omitted, or each step may be executed in a different order. In addition, any two or more of the steps described above may be combined, or some of the steps may be modified or deleted. Alternatively, other steps may be executed in addition to each of the steps described above.

The aspects described in all or part of the above embodiments solve any one of the following problems: estimation of the current feature address, control over travel route or travel history, improvement of processing speed, improvement of processing accuracy, improvement of usability, improvement of functions using data or provision of appropriate functions, other improvement of functions or provision of appropriate functions, reduction of data and/or program capacity, miniaturization of devices and/or systems, provision of appropriate data, programs, recording media, devices and/or systems, and optimization of the production and manufacturing of data, programs, recording media, devices and/or systems, such as reduction of production and manufacturing costs of data, programs, devices or systems, simplification of production and manufacturing, and shortening of production and manufacturing time.

10...Address management system, 11...Acquisition unit, 12...Matching unit, 13...Output unit, 20...Database group, 21...Latest building map database, 22...Past building map database, 23...Latest cadastral map database, 24...Past cadastral map database.

Claims (5)

a control unit that estimates a latest feature address from an input feature address by using both a latest map database including a plurality of combinations of a latest feature address , which is a latest feature address in a certain geographical area, and latest feature coordinates, which are position coordinates corresponding to the latest feature address, and a reference database including a plurality of combinations of a reference feature address, which is a feature address different from the latest feature address, in the same geographical area, and a reference feature coordinates, which are position coordinates corresponding to the reference feature address ,
The control unit:
performing a pre-identification process of identifying the latest feature address corresponding to the input feature address using the latest map database;
When a degree of match between the latest feature address identified in the pre-identification process and the input feature address does not satisfy a given criterion,
(i) using the reference database to identify the reference feature address and the reference feature coordinates corresponding to the input feature address;
(ii) using the updated map database, identifying the updated feature coordinates that correspond to the identified reference feature coordinates;
(iii) estimating the latest feature address corresponding to the identified latest feature coordinates as the latest feature address corresponding to the input feature address;
Computer system. The control unit:
If the degree of match satisfies the given criterion, the latest feature address identified in the pre-identification process is estimated as the latest feature address corresponding to the input feature address without using the reference database .
2. The computer system of claim 1 . the latest map database indicates each combination of the latest feature address and the latest feature coordinate at a first time;
the reference database indicating respective combinations of the reference feature addresses and the reference feature coordinates at a second time prior to the first time;
3. A computer system according to claim 1 or 2 . A processing method for estimating a latest feature address from an input feature address by using both a latest map database including a plurality of combinations of a latest feature address, which is a latest feature address, and latest feature coordinates, which are position coordinates corresponding to the latest feature address, in a certain geographical area, and a reference database including a plurality of combinations of a reference feature address, which is a feature address different from the latest feature address, and a reference feature coordinates, which are position coordinates corresponding to the reference feature address, in the same geographical area, the method comprising:
The computer
performing a pre-identification process of identifying the latest feature address corresponding to the input feature address using the latest map database;
When a degree of match between the latest feature address identified in the pre-identification process and the input feature address does not satisfy a given criterion,
(i) using the reference database to identify the reference feature address and the reference feature coordinates corresponding to the input feature address;
(ii) using the updated map database, identifying the updated feature coordinates that correspond to the identified reference feature coordinates;
(iii) estimating the latest feature address corresponding to the identified latest feature coordinates as the latest feature address corresponding to the input feature address;
Processing method. Computer,
a control unit that estimates a latest feature address from an input feature address by using both a latest map database including a plurality of combinations of a latest feature address , which is a latest feature address in a certain geographical area, and latest feature coordinates, which are position coordinates corresponding to the latest feature address, and a reference database including a plurality of combinations of a reference feature address, which is a feature address different from the latest feature address, in the same geographical area, and a reference feature coordinates, which are position coordinates corresponding to the reference feature address ;
A program that functions as
The control unit:
performing a pre-identification process of identifying the latest feature address corresponding to the input feature address using the latest map database;
When a degree of match between the latest feature address identified in the pre-identification process and the input feature address does not satisfy a given criterion,
(i) using the reference database to identify the reference feature address and the reference feature coordinates corresponding to the input feature address;
(ii) using the updated map database, identifying the updated feature coordinates that correspond to the identified reference feature coordinates;
(iii) estimating the latest feature address corresponding to the identified latest feature coordinates as the latest feature address corresponding to the input feature address;
program.

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