Map Display Using Photographic Images for Navigation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional navigation methods on user terminal devices are inadequate for users to navigate through complex roads, especially at night or in poor visibility conditions, as they primarily display moving routes without providing sufficient visual cues.

Innovation Solution

A user terminal device and method that displays photographic images corresponding to a route or direction on a map screen, allowing users to input locations and directions through manipulation, and displays images along the route or in the direction of the route, enabling better navigation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If only a moving route is displayed on the map screen, then the navigation method is simple and easy to implement, but the user cannot find the route when encountering complex roads, nighttime, or poor visibility conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenavigation reliabilityVSAvoiddisplay complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the moving route display with photographic images of the route environment. The controller displays both the route line and the corresponding photographic image on the map screen, allowing users to see both the path and the actual visual environment at each location. This merging of route information and visual reference images resolves the contradiction by improving navigation reliability without requiring a completely new system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses photographic images that copy or replicate the actual visual appearance of locations along the route. Instead of requiring the user to physically visit each location, the system displays copied visual representations (photographic images) of the route environment, enabling users to familiarize themselves with the path in advance under various lighting and weather conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Ease of operation

If photographic images are displayed along the route, then the user can easily navigate through complex roads and poor visibility conditions, but the display complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenavigation easeVSAvoiddisplay complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the route into multiple discrete locations or points along the path. At each segmented location, a corresponding photographic image is displayed. This segmentation allows the system to manage complexity by processing and displaying images at specific intervals rather than continuously, making the implementation more manageable while still providing comprehensive visual guidance throughout the route.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adds a visual dimension to the traditional two-dimensional map display. By superimposing photographic images (third dimension of visual information) onto the map screen, the system creates a multi-dimensional display that combines cartographic information with real-world visual references, enhancing navigation ease without completely redesigning the interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Loss of information

If multiple photographic images are displayed at different locations, then the user can view the route in detail, but the information processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveroute information completenessVSAvoidimage processing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent retrieves and displays photographic images at locations along the route before the user actually needs to navigate to those locations. The system can pre-fetch images based on the planned route and display them in advance, allowing users to review the visual environment beforehand. This preliminary action reduces the time required during actual navigation, as images are already available for immediate display.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3598073A1User terminal device for displaying map and method thereof
Publication Date: 2020.01.22 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3598073A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3598073A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3598073A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A user terminal device is provided. The user terminal device includes a display configured to display a map screen, a detector configured to sense a user manipulation, and a controller configured to, when a location and a direction are determined by the user manipulation on the map screen, display at least one photo image corresponding to the location and the direction of the user manipulation on the map screen.