Mobile Navigation Overlay via Object Recognition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobile navigation systems require users to manually correlate visual and audio navigational information with their environment, leading to potential delays and errors due to the need for manual interpretation.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for mobile devices that process input images to integrate navigational information by recognizing objects, such as streets and landmarks, and overlay this information onto the image, providing a visual representation of the navigation route and other relevant details directly on the device's display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If navigational information is presented as directional arrows on maps and text on the mobile device screen, then the user can receive navigation guidance, but the user requires manual correlation with the observed environment, resulting in delays and errors
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically captures images via the mobile device camera, identifies navigational elements (street signs, landmarks, buildings) using image processing and object recognition algorithms, and overlays directional guidance without requiring user intervention. The system serves itself by autonomously performing the correlation task that previously required manual user effort.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of user correlation with an automated optical and computational system. The camera captures visual data, image processing algorithms analyze the scene, and the system automatically determines navigation guidance, substituting the user's manual cognitive and physical correlation process with an automated vision-based system.
2Measurement precision
If the system processes input images to integrate navigational information and recognizes objects, then the navigation accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The image processing system is divided into distinct functional modules: image capture module, object recognition module (with specialized classifiers for street signs, landmarks, buildings), image processing module, and overlay generation module. Each module performs a specific task, making the complex system manageable and maintainable while achieving high recognition accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile device integrates multiple functions into a single device: the camera serves both photography and navigational image capture, the processor handles both general computing and specialized image recognition, and the display shows both regular content and navigational overlays. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated hardware components.
3Productivity
If real-time visual cues are provided on the mobile device display, then navigation efficiency is improved, but the use of energy by the moving object increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous image processing and display updates, the system captures images at periodic intervals based on device motion detection, processes only when navigation events are anticipated (approaching intersections, landmarks), and updates the display periodically rather than continuously. This reduces energy consumption while maintaining navigation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different processing qualities to different regions of the image: high-resolution processing for key navigational elements (street signs, landmarks) and lower-resolution processing for background areas. This selective processing reduces overall computational energy requirements while maintaining accuracy for critical navigation information.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for presenting navigational information for a mobile device. The mobile device is configured to determine its location, for example via GPS. One or more input images and navigational information are obtained. The input images may be obtained, for example, via a camera. One or more output images are generated by processing the input images to integrate the obtained navigational information. Processing of the input images includes recognizing one or more objects in the input images. The recognized objects may be indicative of navigational instructions, for example, a navigation route.