GPS Route Cost Mapping to Reduce Vehicle Oscillation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current GPS navigation systems do not effectively account for the oscillations of vehicle routes, which can cause motion sickness in passengers, and fail to recommend routes that minimize discomfort.
Innovation Solution
A method and GPS navigator that identify and display routes based on cost functions related to the number of bends, distance between bends, and radii of curvature, using a database and processor to calculate and visualize routes that minimize oscillations, with color maps indicating the likelihood of motion sickness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If GPS navigators recommend routes based on shortest time or distance, then productivity and efficiency are improved, but kinetosis-sensitive passengers experience motion sickness and discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a new parameter (cost function) that incorporates bend characteristics (number of bends, distance between bends, radii of curvature) to evaluate routes. This changes the route selection criterion from purely time/distance-based to a composite parameter that includes motion comfort factors, thereby resolving the contradiction between efficiency and passenger comfort
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-calculates and stores bend characteristics and cost functions for multiple possible routes before the user makes a selection. This allows the navigator to quickly present optimized route options that balance travel time with motion sickness prevention, enabling users to make informed decisions in advance
2Adaptability or versatility
If GPS navigators provide detailed route information and multiple options, then adaptability and user choice are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the existing GPS navigator perform multiple functions: it calculates traditional route metrics (time, distance) and simultaneously evaluates motion comfort parameters (bend characteristics, cost functions). This multi-functionality allows the device to provide comprehensive route information without requiring separate specialized systems
Solution Approach 2:
The cost function evaluation is segmented into distinct components (number of bends, distance between bends, radii of curvature) that can be independently calculated and combined. This modular approach to complexity allows the system to manage sophisticated routing logic while maintaining clear, understandable output for users
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein is a method for identifying at least one route that will limit the oscillations of a vehicle, said method comprising: providing a starting point and a destination point on a map stored in a database; identifying a plurality of possible routes between said starting point and said destination point; determining at least one cost function associated with at least one route, wherein said cost function depends on at least one of the number of bends, the distance between the bends, and the radii of curvature of the bends of said route; displaying the routes on a user display in a graphic arrangement that depends on the previously determined cost functions.