Multi-Stop Route Planning via Central Server Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing navigation devices lack the capability to efficiently plan and navigate multi-stop routes with multiple intermediate destinations, as they primarily focus on single-point to single-point navigation, failing to account for varying lengths of stay and optimize routes based on user-defined criteria.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that utilize a central server to receive address data, determine a sequence of locations considering user-specified lengths of stay, and transmit optimized route data to a navigation device, allowing for the calculation and navigation of multi-stop routes that satisfy predetermined criteria such as shortest or fastest routes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If navigation devices use satellite-supported positioning systems and map data for route determination, then single-point to single-point navigation is achieved, but multi-stop route planning with multiple intermediate destinations is not supported
Solution Approach 1:
A central server acts as an intermediary between the user and the navigation device. The server receives address data, determines the optimized sequence of multiple locations considering user-defined criteria (shortest route, fastest route, etc.), and sends the calculated multi-stop route to the navigation device. This mediator approach enables complex multi-stop routing without burdening the navigation device with complex calculation algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional single-point navigation to multi-point navigation by adding dimensional complexity to the route planning. Instead of calculating a simple A-to-B path, the system determines an optimized sequence through multiple intermediate destinations, transforming the navigation problem from 2D (start-end points) to a more complex multi-dimensional optimization problem solved by the central server.
2Ease of operation
If navigation devices calculate optimized routes, then shortest or fastest routes are determined, but user-defined lengths of stay at intermediate locations are not considered
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates user feedback regarding desired lengths of stay at intermediate locations into the route optimization process. Users can specify how long they wish to stay at each intermediate destination, and the central server uses this feedback to adjust the overall route sequence and timing, ensuring both optimization and user preferences are satisfied.
Solution Approach 2:
The route planning becomes dynamic by allowing users to define variable stay lengths at different intermediate locations. The system adapts the optimized route sequence based on these dynamic user preferences, rather than treating all stops as equal duration or fixed time points, enabling flexible multi-stop navigation that responds to user needs.
3Extent of automation
If navigation devices provide acoustic or visual navigation instructions, then route guidance is provided, but automated multi-stop route navigation with sequential location transfer is not available
Solution Approach 1:
The central server performs preliminary actions by pre-calculating the entire optimized multi-stop route sequence before navigation begins. The complete sequence of locations and the optimized order are determined in advance and sent to the navigation device, enabling automated navigation through multiple stops without requiring manual intervention or re-input at each location.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical input (users manually entering each destination) with an automated electronic system. The central server automatically determines the optimized sequence and electronically transfers the complete multi-stop route data to the navigation device, which then automatically guides the user through all stops in the correct sequence, eliminating manual information entry and reducing the risk of losing route sequence information.
Data Source
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Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to planning an optimized multi-stop route having a plurality of intermediate stops. To this end, the invention proposes a method for providing navigational data for a navigational device (104) comprising the following steps: (a) receiving a plurality of address data in a central server device (101) via a data network (102); (b) determining a sequence of location data corresponding to the address data in the server device (101) such that a route beginning at a starting location, ending at a target location, and comprising locations determined by the location data in the sequence, fulfills a prescribed criterion; (c) sending a data set comprising the location data and indicating the determined sequence, for transmitting to the navigational device (104). The invention further relates to a device for performing the method and a navigational device (104) by means of which the optimized route can be navigated.