Navigation Device Return Destination Storage Automation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current navigation devices require multiple steps to set a favorite travel destination, making it cumbersome to store frequently visited places, and are often limited to important locations due to high operating effort.

Innovation Solution

A method for a navigation device to temporarily store the current position as a return travel destination with a single storage command, allowing for easy initiation of a return journey with a subsequent return command, without needing to assign a name, and enabling transfer of this destination to a mobile terminal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple steps are required to set a favorite travel destination, then the navigation device can store important locations, but the operating effort increases and usage is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage of travel destinationVSAvoidoperating effort
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically captures and stores the current position information in memory as soon as the vehicle starts moving or a certain distance is traveled, without requiring the user to manually initiate the storage process. This preliminary action eliminates the need for multiple operating steps while ensuring the return destination is reliably recorded

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The navigation device automatically identifies and stores the starting position as the return destination without user intervention. The system serves itself by autonomously performing the destination storage function, thereby reducing operating effort while maintaining reliable destination storage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If a name must be assigned to store a position specification, then the destination is permanently stored, but the process becomes more complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepermanent storageVSAvoidtime for naming
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the essential function of storing position information while removing the unnecessary step of assigning a name. The system stores the return destination in memory with sufficient identification (position coordinates and timestamp) without requiring the user to input a name, thereby eliminating time loss while maintaining reliable storage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses temporary memory storage for return destinations that don't require permanent naming. The stored position information serves its purpose for return navigation and can be overwritten or deleted automatically, similar to disposable usage where permanent identification is unnecessary

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Ease of operation

If the navigation device stores return destination automatically, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic storageVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The automatic return destination storage function is merged with the existing navigation and position tracking systems. The same GPS position data used for route guidance is also used to automatically identify and store the return destination, combining multiple functions without adding separate complex subsystems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The navigation device's position memory and processing capabilities are made multi-functional, serving both the primary navigation purpose and the automatic return destination storage function. This universal use of existing components achieves automatic storage without proportionally increasing device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Ease of operation

If manual actuation is required for storage command, then user control is maintained, but productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser controlVSAvoidspeed of destination storage
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs the destination storage action preliminarily and automatically based on predefined conditions (vehicle start, distance traveled), eliminating the need for manual actuation. This maintains user control through condition-based automation while significantly increasing the speed of destination storage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from vehicle status sensors (ignition signal, position data, distance traveled) to automatically trigger the storage command. This feedback mechanism maintains user control through intelligent automation while improving productivity by eliminating manual intervention delays

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3287746B1Method for operating a navigation device for return navigation, navigation device and motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2020.06.10 SKODA AUTO AS
  • EP3287746B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3287746B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3287746B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for operating a navigation device (12), wherein a position signal (P) of the current position of the navigation device (12) is repeatedly received from a localization device (11), and a predetermined storage command (22) is received at the beginning of or during a journey. The invention provides that, depending on the storage command (22), the current position signal (P) is temporarily stored in a predetermined intermediate memory (21) as the return destination, and at the beginning of or during a subsequent journey, the position signal (P) stored in the intermediate memory (21) is set as the return destination for a navigation assistance function of the navigation device (12), depending on a predetermined return command (22').