Navigation Device User Feedback Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current navigation devices lack an efficient mechanism for users to report and share qualitative, local information such as subjective opinions and experiences related to specific locations, which could enhance the accuracy of map data and provide valuable insights to the user community.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for a navigation device that allows users to wirelessly transmit qualitative information, including user ratings and audio recordings, associated with locations, enabling real-time or quasi-real-time reporting and sharing among a user base, with options for storing information locally for later transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If navigation devices use traditional map data sources, then the device complexity remains low, but the measurement precision of location information is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables users to provide feedback on map data accuracy by reporting errors, missing information, or incorrect details about locations, roads, and points of interest. This user feedback mechanism directly improves map data precision while maintaining relatively simple device architecture through wireless communication and processing capabilities already present in modern navigation devices.
Solution Approach 2:
A server acts as an intermediary between navigation devices and map data databases. The server receives qualitative information from users via wireless transmission, processes and validates the data, then updates the master map database. This intermediary approach improves measurement precision without requiring complex direct peer-to-peer data sharing between devices.
2Loss of information
If navigation devices store qualitative information locally, then the loss of information is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by storing qualitative information locally in the navigation device before transmission to the server. This ensures no information loss occurs during temporary storage or network interruptions. The local storage capability uses standard memory resources already present in navigation devices, avoiding significant complexity increases.
Solution Approach 2:
The navigation device autonomously manages its own information storage and transmission decisions. It can store qualitative data locally when needed and automatically transmit it to the server when connected, without requiring complex external control systems. This self-service approach maintains information retention while minimizing added complexity.
3Productivity
If navigation devices enable real-time reporting of qualitative information, then the productivity of information sharing is improved, but the use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic action by enabling real-time reporting capability while allowing users to control when data transmission occurs. Information can be submitted immediately when available, but transmission to the server can be scheduled during appropriate times, balancing productivity with energy consumption based on user needs and network conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The information sharing system is dynamic, allowing users to adjust reporting and transmission timing based on their specific needs. The system can operate in modes that prioritize speed of information sharing or energy conservation, adapting the balance between productivity and energy use according to user preferences and situational requirements.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A method of operating a portable navigation device (PND) or navigation system is described, together, with a computer program and a PND and navigation system. The method includes the steps of providing a means by which a specific premises, location or location range, being identifiable with reference to map data locally stored in the device or system and optionally being or including the current location, can be at least temporarily stored in memory. The method is characterized by the further steps of presenting to the user at least one user-selectable option by means of which qualitative information pertaining to the said premises, location or range can be entered locally in the device or system, the selection of said option resulting in the immediate or subsequent recordal and storage of both the qualitative information and an association thereof with the identified premises, location or range, such being primary information, and further characterized in that the primary information is subsequently transmitted to a remote device, either wirelessly or over a physical connection between the navigation device or system and the remote device. Preferably, the qualitative information includes some form of rating indication over an integer scale, and optionally the method may include provision for entry and recordal of secondary information in the form of alphanumeric or verbal description capable of being locally entered in and stored by the device or system.