Navigation System Using Auditory Feedback for Driver Estimation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing navigational instructions often require users to divert their attention to view visual displays, which can be unsafe or impractical, especially for visually impaired individuals, and non-visual indications can be distracting.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that allow users to provide input representing their understanding of navigational instructions without viewing them, using non-visual feedback such as audible or haptic alerts to confirm accuracy, ensuring safe navigation without constant visual attention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If navigational instructions are provided as visual indications on a mobile terminal display, then the user can interpret the navigational instructions accurately, but the user must divert their attention from the roadway to view the display
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the visual display mechanism with an audio output mechanism. The navigational instructions are converted from visual form (text on display) to auditory form (spoken directions through speaker), allowing users to receive navigational information without looking at the screen, thus maintaining information accuracy while eliminating the safety risk of diverted attention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an audio intermediary (speaker system) that translates navigational instructions into spoken form. This intermediary allows the information to be transmitted to the user's auditory channel rather than visual channel, resolving the contradiction between accurate information reception and safe operation.
2Ease of operation
If navigational instructions are provided as audible indications, then the user does not need to view the display, but the indications can be distracting or intrusive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of audio output based on user interaction. The system adapts its behavior by providing audible confirmations only when the user requests verification or makes an incorrect estimation, rather than continuously announcing navigational instructions. This dynamic approach reduces distracting announcements while maintaining the benefit of hands-free operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates a feedback mechanism where the system provides audible confirmation when the user's estimation matches the actual navigational instruction. This selective feedback approach reduces unnecessary announcements while still providing useful verification, thereby reducing distraction while maintaining ease of operation.
3Ease of operation
If the user provides input representing their estimation of navigational instructions, then the user can confirm understanding without viewing the display, but the system must process and verify the estimation accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service mechanism where the user actively participates in verifying their understanding by providing estimations. Rather than the system passively presenting information, the user must actively estimate the next instruction (e.g., direction of turn), and the system verifies this estimation. This self-service approach confirms understanding while keeping processing relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent requires the user to perform a partial action (providing estimation) rather than requiring full visual engagement with the display. This partial action is sufficient to confirm understanding without the excessive action of reading and interpreting visual instructions, thereby reducing complexity while maintaining effectiveness.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided in order to provide navigational instructions in a manner that does not require the user to view the navigational instructions. In the context of a method, user input is received that is representative of an estimation by the user of a navigational instruction. The method also determines whether the estimation by the user matches the navigational instruction. Further, the method causes feedback to be generated at least in an instance in which the estimation by the user fails to match the navigational instruction. A corresponding apparatus and computer program product are also disclosed.