Navigation Map Display Mode Switching for Driver Focus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Navigation systems overwhelm drivers with excessive information, making it difficult to focus on driving as important details like roads and intersections are hidden by numerous map elements, leading to potential distractions and safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A display method and apparatus that allows users to switch between a normal and simplified map view, prioritizing important information by manually or automatically hiding less critical elements, such as POI icons and large building images, to create a clearer map image.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a normal map image with all map elements is displayed, then comprehensive information is provided, but driver distraction and safety risks increase due to overwhelming information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments map elements into multiple layers (e.g., road layers, building layers, POI layers) that can be independently controlled. This allows the system to display only necessary information elements in simplified mode while maintaining the option to show comprehensive information in normal mode, thus reducing driver distraction without completely losing information availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic switching between normal map mode and simplified map mode. The system can automatically or manually adjust the displayed map elements based on driving conditions, time of day, and user preferences, making the information display adaptive rather than static, thereby balancing information completeness with driver safety.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a simplified map image with selected map elements is displayed, then driver distraction is reduced, but information completeness is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing map elements into selectable layers, the system allows drivers to choose which information categories to display (e.g., only roads and intersections for minimal distraction, or adding POIs and buildings for more completeness). This segmentation enables flexible information completeness while maintaining simplified display options.
Solution Approach 2:
The map display system serves multiple functions: it can operate in normal mode for comprehensive information, simplified mode for reduced distraction, and any intermediate configuration in between. This multi-functionality allows the same system to adapt to different driving scenarios and user needs without sacrificing information completeness entirely.
3Shape
If three-dimensional building images are displayed, then map visual appeal is enhanced, but important road and intersection information is hidden
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates building images into their own independent layer that can be toggled on or off. When simplified map mode is activated, the system can hide the building layer while maintaining visibility of road and intersection layers, thus eliminating the occlusion problem while preserving the option for visual appeal when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The display system dynamically adjusts which map elements are visible based on the selected mode. In simplified mode, three-dimensional building images are automatically hidden or flattened to ensure road information remains visible, while in normal mode, the full three-dimensional visual appeal is restored. This dynamic adjustment resolves the conflict between aesthetics and information visibility.
Data Source
AI summary
The display method and apparatus for a navigation system interchangeably displays a normal map image and a simplified map image in accordance with a user's preference and complexity of the map image. The method includes the steps of checking whether a simple map mode or a normal map mode is set for displaying a map image on a monitor screen of the navigation system, determining which map elements are selected to be displayed when the simple map mode is set, and displaying the map image with only the selected map elements when the simple map mode is set while displaying the map image with all the map elements when the normal map mode is set. The navigation system is designed to switch between the normal map mode and the simple map mode either manually or automatically.