Electronic Device Map Overlay with Camera and Memory

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current electronic devices lack the ability to effectively combine and overlay map images from different sources, such as internal memory and real-time camera captures, to provide users with integrated and accurate navigation and location information, especially in situations where GPS signals are unavailable or map details are incomplete.

Innovation Solution

The electronic device includes a method to obtain and overlay two map images, one from internal memory and another from real-time camera captures, by matching orientations, scales, and combining them to generate a unified map image, which can also include direction indicators and extracted objects for enhanced navigation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If map images from internal memory and camera captures are combined and overlayed, then navigation accuracy and map information completeness are improved, but device complexity and processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenavigation accuracyVSAvoidprocessing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the map matching process into distinct steps: obtaining first map image from internal memory, obtaining second map image from camera capture, matching orientations, matching scales, and combining images. This segmentation allows complex processing to be broken down into manageable modules that can be executed sequentially, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high navigation accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-storing map images in internal memory and pre-establishing matching algorithms for orientation and scale. When navigation is needed, the system only needs to execute the combination process rather than building the entire system from scratch, which reduces real-time processing complexity while ensuring accurate navigation results.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of information

If real-time camera captures are used to obtain map images, then map information freshness is improved, but processing time and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemap information freshnessVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges real-time camera capture with pre-stored internal map data, combining the freshness of current imagery with the reliability of established map information. This merging allows the system to use updated map information without requiring complete re-processing, as the matching algorithms efficiently integrate new data with existing structures, reducing overall processing time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses the pre-stored map image from internal memory as a reference copy to compare against the real-time camera capture. This copying approach allows rapid comparison and matching without needing to fully process and analyze the entire real-time image from scratch, significantly reducing processing time while maintaining information freshness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Ease of operation

If map images are combined with direction indicators and extracted objects, then user convenience and navigation intuitiveness are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces direction indicators and extracted objects as intermediary elements that mediate between the complex processed map data and the user's understanding. These intermediaries translate complex spatial relationships into intuitive visual cues, making the navigation system easier to use without requiring changes to the core processing architecture, thus minimizing the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses visual differentiation (including color and transparency variations) to distinguish between overlaid map images, direction indicators, and extracted objects. This visual encoding allows users to quickly interpret multiple layers of information without confusion, improving ease of operation while maintaining a relatively simple system structure through intuitive presentation rather than complex processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Data Source

PatentEP2469234B1Electronic device and controlling method thereof
Publication Date: 2016.03.02 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP2469234B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2469234B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2469234B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(c)

AI summary

The present invention relates to an electronic device and method for controlling the electronic apparatus. According to the present invention, the electronic device combines a map image obtained from an external image that is received through a camera with a map contents to display.