Navigation System Travel Time Estimation via Segmented Base and Incremental Time
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current navigation systems lack an effective traffic estimation mechanism, which is crucial for providing accurate travel times and improving user experience, especially in competitive markets where reducing costs and enhancing performance are essential.
Innovation Solution
A navigation system that calculates travel segments, estimates base time and incremental time based on road conditions and travel features, and displays the total travel time on a device, utilizing a location unit, storage units, and a control unit to refine and improve time estimation accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If navigation systems provide recommended routes from starting point to destination using stored road databases, then basic navigation functionality is achieved, but travel time estimation accuracy deteriorates due to lack of traffic condition consideration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the travel time estimation into two distinct components: base time (calculated from stored road database information such as distance and speed limits) and incremental time (estimated based on travel features like traffic lights, intersections, and road conditions). This segmentation allows the system to improve estimation accuracy by separately accounting for different factors that affect travel time, rather than using a single complex model.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary calculation of base time using pre-stored road database information before the actual navigation begins. By pre-calculating the base time component from static data (distance, speed limits, road type), the system reduces the computational burden during real-time operation and improves overall estimation accuracy by having this foundation ready in advance.
2Ease of operation
If navigation systems notify waypoints and times along the route using basic route calculation, then standard navigation service is provided, but user experience deteriorates due to insufficient traffic estimation capability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates travel features (such as traffic lights, intersections, and road conditions) as feedback mechanisms that adjust the incremental time component of the estimation. By continuously considering these features along the route and adjusting the time estimation accordingly, the system provides more accurate and realistic travel time predictions, thereby improving user experience with reliable navigation information.
3Productivity
If navigation systems use simple route calculation without traffic estimation, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity deteriorates due to inaccurate travel time information affecting route optimization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the time estimation into base time and incremental time components, allowing the system to improve productivity through better route optimization while avoiding the need for a single complex estimation model. The base time provides a quick calculation from stored data, while the incremental time adds refinement based on travel features, achieving accuracy without excessive complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of operation of a navigation system includes: calculating a travel segment of a navigation route, the travel segment having a travel feature; estimating a base time for the travel segment; estimating an incremental time for the travel feature; and calculating a travel time with the base time and the incremental time for displaying on a device.