Dynamic Street Address Display on Wireless Navigation Maps

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current navigation technologies inadequately convey a user's current position, particularly when visible landmarks or points of interest are absent, making it difficult for users to determine their street address, especially in situations like nighttime or heavy traffic.

Innovation Solution

A method for a wireless communications device to identify its current position and display street numbers adjacent to a graphical current position indicator on a map, using GPS and map server data to dynamically present address information, enabling users to know their exact street address without manually inputting a destination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If current navigation technology displays only graphical position indicators on a map, then the navigation system remains simple and does not require manual destination input, but the user cannot determine their exact street address or position along a roadway

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestreet address informationVSAvoidnavigation system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary component (address determination module) that bridges the gap between the graphical map display and the user's need for address information. This module automatically retrieves and displays street address data corresponding to the current GPS position, eliminating the need for users to manually input destinations while providing the missing address information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The navigation system performs self-service by automatically determining and displaying the user's current street address based on their GPS position. The system retrieves address data from databases and presents it alongside the map display without requiring user intervention, thereby providing complete position information while maintaining system simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If the navigation system provides detailed address information, then the user's sense of position is improved, but the information processing and display requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition determination accuracyVSAvoidinformation processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-loading and storing address data in databases before navigation is needed. When the user requires position information, the system quickly retrieves pre-organized address data corresponding to the current GPS coordinates, thereby providing precise position determination without complex real-time processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Loss of information

If static street numbers are displayed at intersections only, then the display remains simple, but the user cannot know the street address corresponding to their current position while traveling along a roadway

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecurrent position addressVSAvoiduser convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the static display of street numbers at intersections into a dynamic system that continuously updates address information based on the user's current GPS position. The system dynamically retrieves and displays the street address corresponding to the user's present location along the roadway, providing real-time address information that moves with the user's position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2058626B1System and method for displaying address information on a map
Publication Date: 2012.08.22 BLACKBERRY LTD
  • EP2058626B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2058626B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2058626B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

A method of displaying a map on a wireless communications device includes steps of determining a current position of the wireless communications device, determining address information corresponding to the current position of the wireless communications device, and presenting the address information to a user of the device. The address information can be displayed onscreen as a pair of odd and even numbers representing the street addresses on each side of the street at the current position of the device. The street addresses can be determined by interpolating the address from an address range for the path segment along which the device is traveling. Alternatively, where specific addresses have been stored in association with coordinates, the closest address can be determined. This technology facilitates navigation by presenting street numbers corresponding to the real-time position of the device.