Dynamic Look-Ahead Point for Off-Road Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing off-road navigation systems rely on static waypoints, which are often arbitrarily chosen and lead to inefficient routing, require manual updates, and lack turn-by-turn guidance, making them inefficient and user-unfriendly, especially in truly off-road situations where trail information is unavailable.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented system that dynamically sets a look-ahead point based on the user's location relative to the route, providing turn-by-turn guidance without requiring manual updates and assuming the presence of trail information, by searching the route to find the next turn location and adjusting for the user's orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If static waypoints are used for off-road navigation, then the system is simple to implement, but the routing efficiency deteriorates and manual updates are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static waypoint system into a dynamic one by continuously calculating the look-ahead point based on the user's current position and orientation. The guidance point is no longer fixed but dynamically adjusted along the route, allowing the system to adapt to the user's progress and provide efficient routing without manual updates.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically determines the next guidance point by searching the route forward from the user's current position. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual waypoint updates, as the system autonomously identifies optimal turn locations and calculates guidance directions based on real-time user position and route geometry.
2Loss of time
If static waypoints are used, then manual updates are avoided, but turn-by-turn guidance is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the user's position and orientation relative to the route, and based on this feedback, dynamically calculates the look-ahead point and guidance direction. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures that turn-by-turn guidance information is automatically updated without manual intervention, providing both time efficiency and information accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary searching of the route forward from the user's current position to identify upcoming turns and calculate the look-ahead point in advance. This preliminary action ensures that turn guidance information is prepared proactively, eliminating the need for manual updates while maintaining accurate real-time guidance.
3Adaptability or versatility
If trail information is assumed unavailable, then the system is more versatile, but turn-by-turn guidance becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal off-road navigation system that does not depend on pre-mapped trails or waypoints. By using the user's position, orientation, and the geometric properties of the route itself, the system provides turn-by-turn guidance in any off-road environment, making it versatile while maintaining the ability to provide directional information.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the mechanical reliance on pre-defined trail markers and physical waypoints with a computational approach. By using mathematical calculations based on user position, orientation, and route geometry, the system generates turn guidance information algorithmically, enabling universal off-road navigation without physical trail infrastructure.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is a computer-implemented system for providing guidance information to aid a user in traveling along an off-road route. This system assumes that the route has already been determined. Also, it is assumed that the user's position and orientation can be determined, for example using existing techniques such as the global positioning system (GPS). The present invention uses a Look-Ahead-Point Finder (100) to find a point, which we refer to as a look-ahead point, located on the route ahead of the user's current location. A Guidance Message Constructor (102) and a Guidance Presenter (106) are used to present the user with guidance information directing him towards the look-ahead point. If the user is already headed towards the look-ahead point, then a Turn Analyzer (108) is used to search the route in order to find the next turn location. If the user is found to be nearing a turn, then the Guidance Message Constructor (102) and the Guidance Presenter (106) are used to give the user information about the turn including its distance and direction.