Augmented Reality Navigation Overlay for Mobile Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional navigational information presentation on mobile devices requires users to correlate visual or audio cues with their environment, leading to potential delays and errors in navigation.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for mobile devices that integrate navigational information into input images by recognizing objects and rendering navigation routes, with rankings based on route parameters, to provide visually enhanced route guidance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If navigational information is presented as directional arrows on maps and text displayed on screen, then the navigation information can be provided to the user, but the user requires correlation with observed environment which results in delays and errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenavigation accuracyVSAvoidnavigation delay
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary system that captures real-time images of the user's environment and automatically overlays navigational instructions onto the corresponding visual features. This intermediary processing eliminates the need for manual correlation between abstract navigation cues and the physical environment, thereby reducing both delays and errors in navigation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of correlating navigation information with the environment by using automated image recognition and computer vision algorithms. The system automatically identifies landmarks, streets, and other environmental features from camera images and integrates navigation instructions accordingly, substituting human cognitive processing with automated visual processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If conventional navigation presentation methods are used, then the device complexity remains low, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to requiring user correlation with environment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenavigation usabilityVSAvoidprocessing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the mobile device multi-functional by integrating camera, image recognition, GPS, and display functions into a unified navigation system. The device simultaneously performs environmental capture, visual processing, location tracking, and instruction presentation, eliminating the need for separate navigation devices and reducing overall system complexity despite enhanced capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from traditional 2D map-based navigation to 3D augmented reality navigation by overlaying digital navigation instructions onto real-world visual images. This dimensional enhancement provides intuitive spatial context, making navigation significantly easier to operate and understand without requiring complex manual interpretation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP2397819B1Method, device and system for presenting navigational information
Publication Date: 2013.05.15 BLACKBERRY LTD
  • EP2397819B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2397819B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(c)
  • EP2397819B1 patent drawingFigure 4(a)~4(c)

AI summary

A method (100) and apparatus for presenting navigational information for a mobile device. The mobile device (810) is configured to determine its location, for example via GPS. One or more input images and navigational information are obtained (130). The input images may be obtained, for example, via a camera. One or more output images are generated (140) by processing (200) the input images to integrate the obtained navigational information. Processing (200) of the input images includes recognizing (210) one or more objects in the input images. The recognized objects may be indicative of navigational instructions, for example, a navigation route.