Direction Indicating Lights for GPS Power Saving
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing GPS devices, especially mobile ones, face challenges in clearly indicating moving directions due to small display panels and power consumption issues, which can lead to user confusion and reduced battery life.
Innovation Solution
A GPS device equipped with plural direction indicating lights that represent turning left, turning right, and moving straight, using organic light emitting diodes and a power-saving mode where the display panel is turned off, allowing the direction lights to indicate directions and conserve power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a display panel is used to show moving direction continuously, then the user can see the direction indication, but the power consumption increases and the display panel may be unclear due to small size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the direction indication function into separate visual elements (arrow symbols) that can be displayed individually rather than requiring a continuous full display panel update. This segmentation allows the display to show only necessary directional information, reducing power consumption while maintaining clarity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic updating of direction indications rather than continuous display. The display panel updates direction arrows at specific intervals based on navigation status changes, rather than continuously rendering visual information, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining effective direction communication.
2Ease of operation
If the display panel size is small, then the device is more portable, but the direction indication becomes unclear and users may make wrong decisions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses different colors or visual intensities for direction arrows to convey additional information about turn directions (left, right, straight) and urgency levels. This color-coding system allows clear direction indication on a small display panel without requiring large physical dimensions, maintaining both portability and operational clarity.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the display panel is turned off to save power, then the battery life is extended, but the user cannot see the moving direction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary visual indicator system that operates independently from the main display panel. Direction arrows are rendered as separate visual elements that can be displayed with lower power consumption, acting as an intermediary between the navigation system and the user, allowing direction information to remain available while significantly reducing overall power consumption.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables users to easily identify their moving direction while reducing power consumption, extending the device's battery life and providing a safer navigation experience.
Implementation Method 1
each direction indicating light comprises a light source and a light guiding sheet. The light source is disposed on the circuit board, and the light guiding sheet is disposed on the surface of the housing and located above the light source. The light source is an organic light emitting diode.
Data Source
AI summary
A global position system device including a host and a plurality of direction indicating lights is provided. The direction indicating lights are disposed at the host, wherein each direction indicating light is represented as one direction. The host controls the direction indicating lights such that one of the direction indicating lights is bright and the others are dark. Then, users are indicated by the direction indicating lights to make a turn or keep running straightforward.