Navigation Device Route Deviation Warning System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing navigation systems fail to effectively support drivers if they deviate from the predefined route, leading to potential vehicle breakdowns as they cannot reliably prevent the vehicle from running out of fuel.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that automatically establish a telephone connection with a help center if the vehicle deviates from the route, providing guidance on fuel-efficient driving, directing the driver to a safe location, and adjusting energy consumption to extend the vehicle's range, while also warning nearby vehicles of a potential breakdown via Car2x communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the navigation device provides route guidance with gas station reminders, then the vehicle can reach a gas station before breakdown, but the driver may unintentionally deviate from the route reducing effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability of preventing vehicle breakdownVSAvoiddriver compliance with navigation instructions
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors the vehicle's actual position via GPS and compares it with the predefined route. When deviation is detected, the system automatically provides feedback by establishing a telephone connection with the help center, which can then issue corrective guidance or adjust the route to ensure the vehicle reaches a gas station before breakdown.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically detects route deviation and initiates corrective actions without requiring driver intervention. The telephone connection is established automatically, and the help center provides self-correcting guidance based on real-time vehicle position and remaining range calculations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If the system automatically establishes telephone connection when route deviation occurs, then driver support is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriver support during route deviationVSAvoidautomation of telephone connection establishment
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The navigation device integrates multiple functions: GPS positioning, route monitoring, deviation detection, automatic telephone connection establishment, and coordination with the help center. This multi-functional integration reduces the need for separate dedicated systems while providing comprehensive driver support.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-establishes communication protocols and help center connections before deviation occurs. When deviation is detected, the telephone connection is immediately established using pre-configured parameters, reducing the complexity of real-time decision-making and system responses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If the navigation device monitors vehicle position continuously to detect route deviation, then driver support accuracy is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of route deviation detectionVSAvoidenergy consumption of navigation device
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of continuous monitoring, the system performs position checks at periodic intervals or at key decision points along the route. This reduces energy consumption while maintaining sufficient accuracy for detecting significant route deviations that would affect the ability to reach a gas station.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system monitors position with high precision only when the vehicle is approaching critical decision points or when the remaining range is close to the distance to the next gas station. During other phases, monitoring intensity is reduced, balancing measurement accuracy with energy conservation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP3121563B1Device and method for warning of a vehicle breakdown
Publication Date: 2019.07.24 AUDI AG
  • EP3121563B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3121563B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3121563B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for assisting the driver of a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, wherein the vehicle (5) has a navigation device (3) by means of which the driver is guided from a starting point to a destination via a defined route, wherein the navigation device (3) can automatically detect any deviation of the vehicle (5) from the route. According to the invention, if a deviation of the vehicle (5) from the route is detected, the navigation device (3) determines whether the amount of drive energy stored in an energy storage device of the vehicle (5), in particular the amount of fuel stored in a fuel tank of the vehicle, is sufficient to reach at least one energy refueling station, in particular at least one filling station.If the vehicle (5) can no longer reach an energy refueling station, a telephone connection to an external assistance center (11) is automatically established via a vehicle-mounted telephone system (7) before the vehicle (5) comes to a standstill. Alternatively, if the vehicle (5) can no longer reach an energy refueling station, the driver is automatically notified via a vehicle-mounted display system (29) that he should establish a telephone connection to an external assistance center (11) before the vehicle (5) comes to a standstill.