Mobile Device Processor Personalized Traffic Event Generation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users of portable navigation devices (PNDs) do not receive beneficial information when traveling familiar routes, as they often do not utilize navigation devices even when they could benefit from turn-by-turn guidance and other features, especially when they already know the route.

Innovation Solution

A mobile device processor generates and displays a list of 'no-jam events' and 'probable jam events' relevant to the user's current location, determining probability and relevance scores based on road segment analysis, allowing for personalized traffic and travel information without requiring users to input their destination, and prioritizing information based on user behavior and route history.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If users travel familiar routes without inputting destinations, then the device cannot provide personalized traffic information, but users still need relevant travel information without having to actively engage with the device

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetraffic information relevanceVSAvoiduser input requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically determines the user's current route and provides traffic information without requiring explicit user input. The processor detects GPS signals to obtain current location, retrieves stored route information from memory, and automatically identifies which route the user is currently traveling on, thereby providing self-service functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors the user's current location via GPS and compares it with stored route data to dynamically determine whether the user is on a familiar route. This feedback mechanism allows the system to adaptively provide traffic information based on the user's actual travel status without requiring active user engagement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Quantity of substance

If the device provides all available traffic information, then users receive comprehensive data, but the information becomes overwhelming and not tailored to user needs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetraffic information volumeVSAvoidpersonalization
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides different types of traffic information based on the specific context of the user's current route. For familiar routes, it provides targeted traffic updates specific to that route, while for unfamiliar routes, it provides different information. This local quality approach ensures information is tailored to the specific travel context rather than providing uniform information for all situations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system segments traffic information based on the user's current route and provides only the relevant segments. By dividing the overall traffic data into route-specific portions and selectively presenting only the information pertaining to the user's current travel path, the system avoids overwhelming the user with unnecessary data while maintaining personalization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If the device requires users to input destinations to receive traffic information, then information can be personalized, but users traveling familiar routes do not utilize the device even when they could benefit from guidance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation accessibilityVSAvoidpersonalized traffic updates
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-stores multiple routes in memory during a setup phase, including both familiar and unfamiliar routes. By having this route information prepared in advance, the system can automatically recognize which stored route the user is currently traveling on and provide appropriate traffic information without requiring the user to input destination details at the time of travel

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically determines the user's current route by comparing real-time GPS location data with stored route information, and autonomously provides traffic updates without requiring user interaction. This self-service approach makes the device easily accessible to users traveling familiar routes while still delivering personalized information

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2986941B1Methods and apparatus for providing travel information
Publication Date: 2019.05.22 TOMTOM NAVIGATION BV
  • EP2986941B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2986941B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2986941B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A method of providing traffic information is described, together with a device for performing the same. The method comprises determining a location of a mobile device, receiving traffic information, and determining, with respect to a trip database storing information indicative of a personal road network of a user of the mobile device, whether traffic information associated with one or more road segments in the personal network within a predetermined distance of the current location has been received. One or more no-jam events are generated for respective road segments in the personal network for which it is determined that no traffic information has been received.