Direct Map Region Selection via Touch Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing navigation devices require users to navigate through complex menu systems to select regions of interest on digital maps, which can be cumbersome and less intuitive, especially for tasks like route planning and map interactions.
Innovation Solution
A navigation apparatus and method that allows users to select continuous regions on a digital map directly by providing indications on the map, enabling the processor to determine relevant map data and perform mapping or navigation operations without the need for multiple instructions, using touch-sensitive interfaces or gestures to simplify interactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If users navigate through complex menu systems to select regions of interest on digital maps, then the device can provide detailed map interactions and route planning functionality, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to the cumbersome multi-step process required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical menu navigation system with a direct touch interface on the display. Users can directly touch or gesture on the displayed map to select regions of interest, eliminating the need to navigate through multiple menu levels. This substitution of the interaction mechanism directly resolves the contradiction by maintaining full map interaction capability while dramatically improving ease of operation.
2Measurement precision
If the device requires multiple instructions for selecting geographic regions, then it can maintain precise control over region selection, but the productivity deteriorates due to the increased number of steps required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables users to directly indicate the desired region on the displayed map through touch or gesture, and the system immediately processes this input to determine the geographic region and perform the selected operation. This eliminates the need for multiple sequential instructions while maintaining precise region selection, as the direct indication captures the user's intent in a single action rather than requiring multiple steps to define the same region.
3Measurement precision
If the user interface requires multiple instructions for specifying geographic areas, then it can ensure accurate region determination, but the device complexity increases due to the complex menu system required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the region selection functionality directly from the complex menu system and integrates it into the display itself through touch-sensitive interaction. The display becomes both the output medium and the input interface, allowing users to select regions by directly touching or gesturing on the map visualization. This extraction eliminates the need for separate menu structures while maintaining accurate region determination through direct spatial indication.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a navigation device comprising a display for displaying a digital map to a user, a processor configured to access digital map data and cause a digital map to be displayed to a user using the display, and a user interface operable by a user to enable the user to interact with the apparatus. The user interface is arranged to allow a user to select a continuous region present in the digital map by providing one or more indications on the digital map displayed to the user. The processor is arranged to determine digital map data relating to the selected continuous region, and to carry out one or more mapping or navigation operations using the determined digital map data. The processor may calculate a route using a path selected on the map by a user.