In certain situations, the input address data may specify an invalid geographic element, either non-existent or not valid for that specific address combination. The Postal Matcher can perform analysis on this type of data and, if a unique and correct element can be identified, can replace the wrong element with the correct one.
Example 1: Wrong Level-end Value
Input: 辽宁省 大连市 中山市 解放路 1号 116001
Fixed: 辽宁省 大连市 中山区 解放路 1号 116001
In this example, the Level 3 value for this address has the wrong level ending of "市" instead of "区". Because there is only one possible Level 3 value for the rest of the geographic information, this Level 3 ending can be safely replaced with the correct ending.
Example 2: Incompatible Level Value
Input: 河北省 大连市 中山区 解放路 1号 116001
Fixed: 辽宁省 大连市 中山区 解放路 1号 116001
In this example, a Level 1 value has been specified but is incompatible with the rest of the address information. Because the rest of the address information is only compatible with '辽宁省', the Postal Matcher can safely replace the Level 1 value.
Incompatible level value(s) may not be safely replaced. For example, if the address data is missing level values, there may not be enough information to arrive at an answer. In other cases, the intended input address may be unclear, such as, when two or more geographic level elements point to one address while others point to a different address. In addition, although a replacement address element may be acceptable, the Postal Matcher will not make a replacement if multiple possibilities exist for the answer.