Coordinated Navigation Alerts Across Smartphone and Smartwatch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing navigation alert systems on electronic devices are cumbersome and inefficient, requiring complex user interfaces and excessive time and attention, which wastes user time and device energy, particularly in battery-operated devices.
Innovation Solution
A method involving two separate electronic devices that alert the user to the same navigational instruction at different times, using a combination of haptic and audio alerts with a predetermined delay, to reduce cognitive burden and conserve power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single electronic device provides turn-by-turn navigation instructions, then the navigation information is delivered to the user, but the user interface becomes cumbersome and requires excessive time and attention
Solution Approach 1:
The navigation system is segmented across two devices: a first device (e.g., smartphone) that calculates and determines navigation events, and a second device (e.g., wearable) that presents alerts to the user. This division allows the first device to handle complex processing while the second device provides simple, quick alerts, reducing the time and attention required from the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The first device acts as an intermediary between the navigation route data and the user. It receives route information, determines when navigation events occur, and then communicates these events to the second device for user presentation. This intermediary role optimizes the workflow by centralizing complex decision-making while simplifying user interaction.
2Reliability
If navigation alerts are provided continuously, then the user receives frequent navigation instructions, but device energy is wasted through redundant operations
Solution Approach 1:
The first device preliminarily determines navigation events and their timing before presenting them to the user. By pre-calculating when alerts should be presented and coordinating with the second device, the system avoids redundant energy consumption from continuous or unnecessary alert generation while ensuring reliable navigation instruction delivery.
3Productivity
If multiple devices are used for navigation, then user efficiency is enhanced through coordinated alerts, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the computational capabilities of the first device with the user-presenting capabilities of the second device into a coordinated navigation system. The first device handles route calculation and event determination, while the second device handles alert presentation, creating a unified system that enhances user efficiency despite involving multiple devices.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to techniques for managing navigation alerts. The disclosure generally describes an exemplary technique whereby a first device, such as a smartphone, coordinates the timing or sequence of alerts for a navigation instruction on the first device and on a second device, such as a smartwatch. In some examples, the second device presents an alert to a user indicating an event condition has been met before the first device presents a different alert to the user indicating that the same event condition has been met. The alert at the second device allows the user to anticipate the alert at the first device.