Mobile Device Flashlight Navigation Guidance System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobile devices lack integration between navigation and flashlight functions, forcing users in dark environments to choose between illuminating their surroundings or obtaining guidance, which complicates navigation.
Innovation Solution
A system that determines mapping and navigation information to configure the flashlight component based on operational parameters such as light intensity, frequency, and direction, providing guidance without requiring users to constantly look at their screen.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If users illuminate their surroundings using the flashlight in dark environments, then visibility is improved, but users cannot simultaneously view navigation information on the screen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system that uses the device's camera to capture images of the physical environment and overlays virtual navigation arrows and guidance information onto these images. This mediator allows users to see both their surroundings and navigation instructions simultaneously through the camera viewfinder, eliminating the need to switch between flashlight illumination and screen viewing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions navigation information from a two-dimensional screen display to a three-dimensional augmented reality overlay on the camera viewfinder. By projecting virtual navigation elements into the user's field of view of the physical environment, the system allows simultaneous perception of both surroundings and guidance information without requiring the user to look away or switch between different visual planes.
2Loss of information
If users look at the screen for navigation information, then guidance is obtained, but surroundings remain unilluminated in dark environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the navigation application with the camera application, combining previously separate functions into a unified interface. The navigation information is overlaid directly onto the camera viewfinder, allowing users to see both their surroundings captured by the camera and the navigation guidance simultaneously in a single unified view, eliminating the need to switch between applications or functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera viewfinder serves as an intermediary display surface that simultaneously presents both the captured environmental image and the overlaid navigation information. This mediator integrates multiple information sources (surroundings and guidance) into a single visual channel, allowing users to perceive both elements without needing separate display surfaces or switching between modes.
3Device complexity
If navigation and flashlight functions operate as separate applications, then each function is simple and independent, but they cannot share information to provide coordinated guidance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the navigation application and camera application into a single integrated application. This consolidation allows the system to access and share data (such as location information, orientation, and environmental context) between previously separate functions, enabling coordinated behavior where navigation guidance can be dynamically adjusted based on the camera's field of view and the user's current position and orientation.
Data Source
AI summary
An approach is provided for linking the navigation and flashlight functions of a mobile device for guidance purposes. A coordination platform determines mapping information, navigation information, or a combination thereof associated with at least one device. The coordination platform determines at least one operational parameter for at least one flashlight component of the at least one device based, at least in part, on the mapping information, the navigation information, or a combination thereof. The coordination platform causes, at least in part, a configuration of the at least one flashlight component based, at least in part, on the at least one operational parameter.