Navigation Device Area Object Search Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional navigation devices do not allow users to efficiently search for specific geographical areas like 'Loch Ness' or 'Blackwood Forest' as destinations, requiring users to search for nearby cities or manually mark areas on a map, which is time-consuming and error-prone.
Innovation Solution
A method to provide addressable database objects for route calculation by generating area objects associated with area names and polygons, allowing users to search for geographical areas by name, with the navigation device retrieving and processing these objects to determine destination points for route guidance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If users search for geographical areas by name, then search efficiency and accuracy are improved, but the system complexity increases due to the need to process area objects and generate destination objects
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-processes area objects by extracting polygons from map data and generating corresponding destination objects before user search. This preliminary action stores processed area information in the destinations database, enabling fast name-based search without real-time processing complexity during user interaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces destination objects as intermediary structures that bridge area objects (from map data) and user search queries. These destination objects serve as a standardized interface layer, converting complex area polygon data into searchable destination entries, thereby managing system complexity while improving search efficiency.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the navigation device stores and processes area objects with polygons, then the ability to search for geographical areas is improved, but the data processing requirements and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
Area objects with polygons are extracted and processed in advance during map data compilation. Destination objects are generated and stored in the destinations database before user search occurs. This preliminary processing eliminates time-consuming real-time polygon analysis during user queries, reducing search response time while maintaining comprehensive search capability.
3Device complexity
If conventional search methods are used (searching for cities or manually marking areas), then the device complexity remains low, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to time-consuming and error-prone processes
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically extracts area objects from map data, generates destination objects, and populates the destinations database without requiring manual user input for area definition. Users simply enter area names for search, and the system autonomously processes the corresponding geographic information, significantly improving ease of operation while maintaining manageable device complexity through automated processing.
Data Source
AI summary
A technique for providing addressable database objects for route guidance by a navigation device to geographical areas is provided. A method implementation of this technique comprises providing a map database comprising at least area objects, wherein each area object is associated with an area name and a polygon representative of a geographical area, retrieving at least one area object from the map database, determining, based on the polygon associated with the retrieved area object, at least one destination point for route guidance to the geographical area, generating a point object comprising the area name associated with the retrieved area object and the at least one destination point, and making the first point object, or a database object derived therefrom, available for being addressed by the area name during a destination search.