Co-located Device Navigation Data Sharing via Audio Signals

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current navigation systems require drivers to interact frequently with their devices for route adjustments and information, which can be distracting and inconvenient, especially when passengers can assist in navigating changes to the route.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method for co-located devices to share navigation data using high-frequency audio signals, allowing passengers to replicate and modify routes on their devices and transmit updates to the driver's device, enabling passengers to assist in navigation without the driver needing to interact with their device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the driver interacts with the navigation device for route adjustments and information, then the navigation functionality is improved, but the driver distraction increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenavigation functionalityVSAvoiddriver distraction
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a copy of the navigation interface on the passenger's device. The passenger's device receives navigation data from the driver's device and displays a replicated navigation interface, allowing the passenger to interact with route adjustments while the driver focuses on driving. This copying mechanism enables navigation operations without requiring the driver to directly manipulate the navigation device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The passenger's device acts as an intermediary between the driver's navigation needs and the actual navigation system. The passenger receives navigation data, processes route adjustments, and transmits modifications back to the driver's device. This intermediary role allows the driver to delegate navigation tasks to the passenger, reducing driver distraction while maintaining full navigation functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the passenger assists in navigation tasks, then the driver distraction is reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriver distractionVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The passenger's device is designed to perform multiple functions: receiving navigation data, displaying the navigation interface, processing user inputs for route adjustments, and transmitting modifications back to the driver's device. By making the passenger's device multi-functional, the system avoids adding separate dedicated hardware components, thereby managing complexity while enabling comprehensive navigation assistance.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces potential complex mechanical or hardware-based communication systems with software-based data transmission over existing wireless communication channels. The navigation data and route modifications are transmitted as digital signals between devices, avoiding the need for specialized hardware interfaces and reducing overall system complexity.

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

3Adaptability or versatility

If navigation data is shared between devices, then the passenger can assist with navigation, but the data transmission complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepassenger assistance capabilityVSAvoiddata transmission complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the navigation data from the driver's device and transmits only the essential routing information to the passenger's device. By selecting and transmitting only the necessary data elements rather than complete navigation datasets, the system reduces transmission complexity while still enabling the passenger to perform navigation assistance tasks effectively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution reduces driver distraction by allowing passengers to manage route changes and provide navigation assistance without the driver needing to interact with their device, enhancing safety and convenience during trips.

Implementation Method 1

the data can be communicated between the driver's device and the passenger's device using high-frequency audio signals encoded with navigation data

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAudio signal transmission: Sound

Data Source

PatentEP3405749B1Sharing navigation data among co-located computing devices
Publication Date: 2024.06.12 GOOGLE LLC
  • EP3405749B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3405749B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP3405749B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

This document describes systems, methods, devices, and other techniques for sharing navigation data among computing devices. The techniques can include identifying, by a first computing device, a second computing device, based on the first computing device detecting an audio signal emitted by one or more speakers of the second computing device, wherein the second computing device is running a navigation application that has been programed to navigate a geographic route. Using information encoded in the audio signal that was emitted by the one or more speakers of the second computing device, the first computing device can determine the geographic route that the navigation application running on the second computing device has been programmed to navigate. A representation of the geographic route can be displayed on an electronic display of the first computing device.