In-transit two-way route communication between a handheld positioning device and a service provider via a vehicle's onboard computer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Positioning devices, such as portable GPS devices, face memory constraints that limit the storage and detail of routing data for long trips, especially when used in vehicles, resulting in reduced data detail and spread-out track points over greater distances.

Innovation Solution

A system that enables two-way communication between a vehicle's onboard computer and a positioning device, allowing routing information to be updated by dividing data into segments that fit within the device's memory capacity, with the vehicle computer establishing a communication session to send and receive data from a server, and the user interacting through a menu to initiate data exchange.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the memory capacity of the positioning device is increased to store more routing data for longer trips, then the amount of routing information that can be stored increases, but the cost and complexity of the device increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveamount of routing data storedVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the routing data into multiple segments that can be stored sequentially in the positioning device's memory. Each segment contains routing information for a portion of the trip, allowing the device to handle long trips without requiring excessive memory capacity. The device loads segments as needed during the journey.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Length of moving object

If the trip length is increased to enable longer journeys, then the coverage distance increases, but the detail of routing data for each segment decreases due to memory constraints

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetrip lengthVSAvoidrouting data detail
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the routing data, the patent allows long trips to be covered while maintaining detailed routing information within each segment. The division into segments ensures that each portion contains sufficient detail for navigation, while the collective segments cover the entire long-distance route.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system periodically updates or loads new routing segments as the trip progresses. This periodic refresh of routing data allows the device to maintain detailed information for the current segment while enabling coverage of much longer overall trip distances through sequential segment loading.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Measurement precision

If the number of track points is increased to improve tracking accuracy, then the positioning precision increases, but the memory capacity is consumed faster

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetracking accuracyVSAvoidmemory capacity consumed
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation to track points by associating them with specific routing segments. Track points are stored in relation to the segment they occur in, allowing high-density tracking within each segment while managing overall memory usage across the entire trip duration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Loss of information

If the communication frequency between the vehicle computer and positioning device is increased to update routing information more often, then the data freshness improves, but the energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata freshnessVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements periodic communication between the vehicle computer and positioning device, updating routing information at appropriate intervals rather than continuously. This periodic update mechanism maintains data freshness by refreshing routing segments as needed while minimizing energy consumption by avoiding unnecessary continuous communication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP2024950B1In-transit two-way route communication between a handheld positioning device and a service provider via a vehicle's onboard computer
Publication Date: 2010.06.02 HEWLETT PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LP
  • EP2024950B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2024950B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2024950B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A system, method, and article for in-transit communication and exchange of routing data between a service provider and a mobile positioning device via vehicle's onboard computer, facilitating the exchange and updating of information on a positioning device, such as a global positioning satellite positioning device.