Automated fitting of interior maps to general maps

Abstract

Amalgamated maps, comprising interior maps overlaid on venues indicated in general maps can be automatically generated. Initially, interior maps can be obtained through targeted network searches, whose search results can be filtered to retain those that are most likely useable interior maps. A bounding polygon is generated for both interior map and venue exterior from general map. Subsequently, directional histograms representing orientations of lines in bounding polygons are generated and compared to automatically identify a rotation to align the interior map with the venue exterior from the general map. Anchor points are identified to locally deform the interior map, preserving internal structures, to better align with the venue exterior. Once aligned, the interior map can be combined with the general map, forming an amalgamated map. Updated geocoding can be performed based on locations of establishments in the venue as indicated by the interior map.

1 - 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . One or more computer-readable storage media comprising computer-executable instructions for generating an updated digital map comprising more accurate locations of establishments in a venue, the computer-executable instructions directed to steps comprising:
 obtaining a representation of the venue from a digital map, the representation having incorporated therein an interior map of the venue;   obtaining, from the interior map of the venue, an identification of a first establishment that is depicted, in the interior map of the venue, as being located at a first location within the venue;   identifying a geographic location of the first location within the venue; and   generating the updated digital map by geocoding the identified geographic location as an updated location of the first establishment, the first establishment having been previously geocoded as having a prior location identified by an address of the venue.   
     
     
         19 . The computer-readable storage media of  claim 18 , wherein the computer-executable instructions for obtaining the identification of the first establishment comprise computer-executable instructions for performing Optical Character Recognition on text positioned at the depiction of the first establishment in the interior map of the venue. 
     
     
         20 . The computer-readable storage media of  claim 18 , comprising further computer-executable instructions for: geocoding pathways depicted in the interior map as walk-able thoroughfares. 
     
     
         21 . The computer-readable storage media of  claim 18 , comprising further computer-executable instructions for: generating navigational directions to the first establishment based on the updated location of the first establishment. 
     
     
         22 . The computer-readable storage media of  claim 21 , wherein the generated navigational directions terminate proximate to an entrance to the venue that is closest to the updated location of the first establishment. 
     
     
         23 . The computer-readable storage media of  claim 20 , comprising further computer-executable instructions for: generating navigational directions to the first establishment based on the updated location of the first establishment, the generated navigational directions comprising driving directions to an intermediate location proximate to an entrance of the venue and walking directions from the intermediate location to the updated location of the first establishment, the walking directions being based on the geocoded walk-able thoroughfares. 
     
     
         24 . The computer-readable storage media of  claim 18 , wherein the interior map of the venue is a rasterized image. 
     
     
         25 . The computer-readable storage media of  claim 18 , comprising further computer-executable instructions for generating the digital map comprising the representation of the venue having incorporated therein the interior map of the venue, the computer-executable instructions directed to steps comprising:
 generating, from a graphical image representing the interior map of the venue, a first bounding polygon for the interior map;   generating, from a graphical image representing a portion of a prior version of the digital map, a second bounding polygon for a representation of the venue in the prior version of the digital map;   identifying, with the first and second bounding polygons, a transformation of the interior map to align the interior map with the representation of the venue in the prior version of the digital map, wherein the interior map and the venue in the prior version of the digital map are misaligned prior to the transformation;   applying the identified transformation to the interior map; and   generating the digital map by incorporating the transformed interior map with the representation of the venue in the prior version of the digital map.   
     
     
         26 . A method for generating an updated digital map comprising more accurate locations of establishments in a venue, the method comprising the steps of:
 obtaining a representation of the venue from a digital map, the representation having incorporated therein an interior map of the venue;   obtaining, from the interior map of the venue, an identification of a first establishment that is depicted, in the interior map of the venue, as being located at a first location within the venue;   identifying a geographic location of the first location within the venue; and   generating the updated digital map by geocoding the identified geographic location as an updated location of the first establishment, the first establishment having been previously geocoded as having a prior location identified by an address of the venue.   
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the obtaining the identification of the first establishment comprises performing Optical Character Recognition on text positioned at the depiction of the first establishment in the interior map of the venue. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 26 , further comprising the steps of: geocoding pathways depicted in the interior map as walk-able thoroughfares. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 26 , further comprising the steps of: generating navigational directions to the first establishment based on the updated location of the first establishment. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the generated navigational directions terminate proximate to an entrance to the venue that is closest to the updated location of the first establishment. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 28 , further comprising the steps of: generating navigational directions to the first establishment based on the updated location of the first establishment, the generated navigational directions comprising driving directions to an intermediate location proximate to an entrance of the venue and walking directions from the intermediate location to the updated location of the first establishment, the walking directions being based on the geocoded walk-able thoroughfares. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the interior map of the venue is a rasterized image. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 26 , further comprising steps for generating the digital map comprising the representation of the venue having incorporated therein the interior map of the venue, the steps comprising:
 generating, from a graphical image representing the interior map of the venue, a first bounding polygon for the interior map;   generating, from a graphical image representing a portion of a prior version of the digital map, a second bounding polygon for a representation of the venue in the prior version of the digital map;   identifying, with the first and second bounding polygons, a transformation of the interior map to align the interior map with the representation of the venue in the prior version of the digital map, wherein the interior map and the venue in the prior version of the digital map are misaligned prior to the transformation;   applying the identified transformation to the interior map; and   generating the digital map by incorporating the transformed interior map with the representation of the venue in the prior version of the digital map.   
     
     
         34 . A computing device generating navigation directions to an establishment in a venue, the computing device comprising:
 one or more processing units;   computer-readable storage media having stored thereupon at least a portion of a digital map comprising a geocoded location of the first establishment that was geocoded based on a location of the first establishment as depicted in an interior map of the venue; and   computer-readable storage media comprising computer-executable instructions which, when executed by the one or more processing units, cause the computing device to perform steps comprising:
 obtaining the geocoded location of the first establishment from the digital map; 
 generating an intermediate location proximate to an entrance of the venue based on the geocoded location, the intermediate location being outside of the venue; and 
 generating navigation directions to the intermediate location. 
   
     
     
         35 . The computing device of  claim 34 , further comprising a network interface; wherein the at least the portion of the digital map was obtained by the computing device through the network interface. 
     
     
         36 . The computing device of  claim 34 , wherein the at least the portion of the digital map further comprises geocoded walk-able thoroughfares that were geocoded based on locations of pathways depicted in the interior map of the venue; and wherein further the computer-readable storage media comprise further computer-executable instructions which, when executed by the one or more processing units, cause the computing device to perform further steps comprising: generating navigation directions from the intermediate location to the geocoded location of the first establishment based on the geocoded walk-able thoroughfares. 
     
     
         37 . The computing device of  claim 34 , wherein the at least the portion of the digital map further comprises a representation of the venue, the representation comprising the interior map of the venue.