Mobile Navigation Guidance Using Peer Location and Obstacle Sensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users of mobile devices in public places often become inattentive to their surroundings due to device engagement, leading to inefficient navigation and increased risk of collisions with obstacles or other users.

Innovation Solution

Mobile devices communicate with each other to determine location information and recommend travel paths that avoid collisions and obstacles by using wireless communication and image processing to generate accurate representations of the environment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If users engage with mobile devices in public places, then entertainment and productivity are improved, but user attentiveness to surroundings deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemobile device usageVSAvoiduser attentiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of environmental sensors, cameras, and processors that act as a mediator between the user and their surroundings. This intermediary captures environmental data, processes it to identify navigation cues and obstacles, and presents this information to the user through the mobile device interface, allowing the user to remain engaged with the device while still receiving situational awareness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical/visual system where users directly look at their surroundings with an electronic sensor-based system. Environmental sensors, cameras, and microphones capture data about the user's surroundings, which is then processed and presented through the mobile device, substituting direct visual-mechanical observation with electronic sensing and digital presentation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If users rely on mobile devices for navigation, then entertainment usage is improved, but navigation efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemobile device entertainmentVSAvoidnavigation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges entertainment application functionality with navigation guidance functionality into a single integrated system. The same mobile device interface and display are used for both entertainment content and navigation cues, combining these previously separate functions so that users can receive turn-by-turn directions without needing to switch applications or devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the mobile device interface universal by enabling it to serve multiple functions simultaneously - displaying entertainment content while also presenting navigation guidance, obstacle warnings, and environmental information through the same screen and audio output, allowing one device to fulfill multiple user needs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If users focus on mobile device screens, then device interaction is improved, but collision risk with obstacles deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice interactionVSAvoidcollision risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary action by having environmental sensors and cameras continuously capture and process data about obstacles and hazards before the user encounters them. The system identifies potential collision risks in advance and presents warning information to the user through the mobile device interface, allowing users to maintain device interaction while receiving advance warning of dangers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring the user's environment through sensors and cameras, processing this data to identify obstacles and hazards, and providing real-time feedback to the user through the mobile device interface. This closed-loop system maintains device interaction while compensating for reduced user attentiveness through automated environmental monitoring and warning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS20260027466A1Methods and mobile devices

Publication Date: 2026.01.29 SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT LLC

AI summary

A method performed by a first mobile device for guiding travel of a first user of the first mobile device provided. The method includes wirelessly communicating with a second mobile device of a second user. The method includes determining, based on the communication with the second mobile device, location information of the second mobile device. The method includes determining, based on the location information of the second mobile device, a recommended travel path for the first user. The method includes providing an indication of the recommended travel path to the first user.