Navigation System Using Attraction Data Without Road Maps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle navigation systems are complex, costly, and difficult for casual users to operate, primarily due to their reliance on road map data and dense visual information, which increases memory and processing requirements.
Innovation Solution
A navigation system that determines location data for vehicles and provides intuitive navigation information by calculating distance and direction to attractions of interest without displaying road orientations, using a vehicle positioning apparatus, processing device, and graphical display arrangement, allowing users to select categories of attractions and receive distance and direction indications without road mapping information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If road map data is used to provide navigation information, then comprehensive navigation guidance is achieved, but system cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes road map data from the navigation system, keeping only the essential attraction location data. This eliminates the complexity and cost associated with storing and processing extensive road network information while maintaining the core navigation function of guiding users to destinations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive, proprietary road map data with simpler, less costly location data for attractions. This substitution reduces system costs and complexity while still providing effective navigation guidance through distance and direction calculations.
2Loss of information
If extensive road map data is stored and displayed, then detailed navigation information is provided, but memory capacity and processing capability requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary location data for attractions, removing the need to store extensive road map information. This dramatically reduces memory requirements while maintaining the ability to provide complete navigation guidance through calculated distance and direction to destinations.
3Loss of information
If dense visual information is displayed on the video screen, then comprehensive navigation data is presented, but driver comprehension becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing simplified, focused information specifically tailored for driver consumption. Instead of displaying dense road maps, the system presents localized, essential navigation cues (distance and direction to attractions) that are easy to comprehend at a glance while driving.
4Measurement precision
If proprietary road map data is licensed from information owners, then accurate map information is obtained, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive proprietary road map data with simpler attraction location data that can be obtained at lower cost. This substitution maintains sufficient accuracy for navigation purposes while dramatically reducing the licensing costs associated with comprehensive map information.
Data Source
AI summary
A navigation system for an automotive vehicle that travels on roads includes a vehicle positioning apparatus that determines location data associated with the vehicle. A source of attraction location data provides location data associated with a plurality of attractions that are of interest to a user of the vehicle. A processing device is communicatively coupled to the vehicle positioning apparatus and to the source of attraction location data. The processing device calculates a distance and direction from the vehicle to at least one of the attractions of interest. The calculating is based upon the location data associated with the vehicle and the location data associated with the attractions of interest. A graphical display arrangement is communicatively coupled to the processing device. The graphical display arrangement indicates the calculated distance and direction without graphically indicating orientation of roads on which the vehicle may travel.