Portable Navigation Device Map Correction via On-Map Indicators

Solution Overview

Problem

Current portable navigation devices (PNDs) require users to access a menu structure to correct map data, which can be dangerous and often leads to forgotten corrections, especially when multiple changes are needed, as the process involves identifying specific routes or road segments while driving.

Innovation Solution

A method that displays user-selectable graphical indicators on the map to represent travel restrictions, allowing users to make corrections directly on the map, which are then stored and applied to the navigation system, ensuring accurate route calculations and real-time updates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If users access menu structure to correct map data, then map data correction is possible, but operation safety deteriorates and correction reliability worsens due to danger of driving and forgotten corrections

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemap data correction capabilityVSAvoidoperation safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of requiring users to access menu structures to correct map data, the system inverts the approach by automatically detecting navigation errors and presenting correction options directly on the map display. The system identifies when the calculated route does not match the actual vehicle position and offers corrections at the location of the error rather than through hierarchical menus.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service correction by automatically detecting navigation discrepancies between calculated routes and actual vehicle positions using GPS data. The system presents correction options and applies corrections without requiring users to manually navigate through menu structures, making the correction process automatic and context-aware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of manufacture

If users access menu structure to correct map data, then map data correction is possible, but ease of operation deteriorates due to complex identification process

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemap data correction capabilityVSAvoidcorrection operation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of requiring users to access menu structures to correct map data, the system inverts the approach by automatically detecting navigation errors and presenting correction options directly on the map display. The system identifies when the calculated route does not match the actual vehicle position and offers corrections at the location of the error rather than through hierarchical menus.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service correction by automatically detecting navigation discrepancies between calculated routes and actual vehicle positions using GPS data. The system presents correction options and applies corrections without requiring users to manually navigate through menu structures, making the correction process automatic and context-aware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of manufacture

If multiple map data corrections are needed, then comprehensive updates are possible, but reliability deteriorates due to forgotten corrections

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomprehensive map data correctionVSAvoidcorrection completion rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system ensures continuous correction by monitoring navigation throughout the journey and automatically presenting correction options when discrepancies are detected. Unlike manual menu-based correction where users may forget, this system continuously compares actual vehicle position with calculated route and prompts for corrections at each relevant location, ensuring comprehensive updates are completed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by continuously comparing GPS-derived vehicle position with the calculated navigation route. When a discrepancy is detected, the system provides feedback to the user through on-map correction indicators and maintains a record of corrections made, ensuring that all necessary corrections are applied and none are forgotten.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2223042B1Improved navigation device and method

Publication Date: 2011.10.05 TOMTOM INT BV

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AI summary

A method of correcting map data stored on a portable navigation device (PND) or navigation system is described, together with an appropriately enabled PND or navigation system. A computer program enabling the method is also described. The method includes the steps of displaying map data on a PND or navigation system during a navigation or free-driving mode, and is characterized in that at least one of a plurality of user-selectable graphical indicators is displayed together with said map data adjacent or overlaid on the particular thoroughfare along which the device is currently traveling, said indicator graphically representing a travel restriction pertinent to one of either the current thoroughfare or a subsequent thoroughfare occurring after a thoroughfare intersection towards which the current thoroughfare leads, and is further characterized in that the user selection of said graphical indicator causes display of one or more other similar user- selectable graphical indicators, selection of which causes both a correction to be stored in or removed from memory, said correction including both identification of the travel restriction selected or removed and the relevant thoroughfare to which said restriction applies, and the subsequent display of the at least some of the map information displayed immediately prior to the selection of the user-selectable graphical indicator.