Navigation System List-Map Transition for Traffic Clarity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motor vehicle navigation systems face challenges in displaying traffic disruptions and points of interest effectively, particularly on small scales, where distant disruptions are obscured and on larger scales, the map becomes cluttered, making it difficult to track exact locations and severities.

Innovation Solution

A navigation system that transitions between a list display and a digital road map display based on user selection, using identical operating actions to scroll through both formats, with the selected location's section of the map centered, and marked in a sequence relative to the vehicle's current location, enhancing user comprehension and intuitive operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the digital map is displayed on a small scale (reduced), then more area is visible on the display, but traffic disruptions that are further away from the current location cannot be displayed on the map display

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay areaVSAvoidtraffic disruption information
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the information presentation into two separate segments: a list view that displays all traffic disruption information comprehensively, and a map view that displays spatial relationships. Users can switch between these segments based on their information needs, allowing complete information display without cluttering the map view.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a two-dimensional map display to a one-dimensional list display for comprehensive information. This dimensional switch allows all traffic disruption details to be presented in a structured list format, overcoming the spatial limitations of the map view while maintaining geographic context through selectable references.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Measurement precision

If the digital map is displayed on a larger scale (reduced to greater extent), then more detail is visible, but so many symbols are displayed on the road map display that the user loses track and the exact location, type and severity of the traffic disruption can no longer be recorded

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocation precisionVSAvoiddisplay complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the display into two distinct modes: a list view that provides comprehensive textual information about traffic disruptions including exact locations, types, and severities, and a map view that provides visual spatial context. This segmentation prevents information overload on the map while maintaining precision through the detailed list format.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary list display that acts as a mediator between the user and the map. Instead of displaying all information directly on the map, the list serves as an intermediate layer that organizes and presents detailed traffic disruption information, reducing map clutter while preserving location precision through selective display.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of information

If traffic disruptions are displayed in list form, then all information can be shown, but the relationship between the information objects and their locations on the map is not clear

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation completenessVSAvoidspatial relationship detection
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the list display as an intermediary that links to the map display. When users select an information object in the list, the system transitions to the map view showing the corresponding location, and vice versa. This intermediary mechanism maintains the complete information presentation in the list while enabling spatial relationship detection through interactive switching to the map view.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback between the list and map views. Selecting an item in the list provides feedback by displaying its location on the map, and selecting a map location provides feedback by highlighting the corresponding list entry. This bidirectional feedback mechanism clarifies spatial relationships while maintaining information completeness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

4Ease of operation

If different operating actions are used for scrolling the list and scrolling the map, then specific functions can be optimized, but the connection between list display and map display is weakened in user perception

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation optimizationVSAvoidcontextual connection
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the same operating action (rotation of the operating element) for both scrolling the list and scrolling the map. This universal control mechanism allows a single input method to serve multiple functions, maintaining ease of operation while strengthening the contextual connection between the two display modes in the user's perception.

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

Data Source

PatentEP2401583B1Motor vehicle navigation system
Publication Date: 2016.01.20 BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE AG
  • EP2401583B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2401583B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a motor vehicle navigation system set up for displaying a list of location-based information objects, in particular traffic reports, sightseeing destinations, points of interest, addresses, and/or recently selected destinations, and that a second operating mode is switched to in response to the user selecting a location-based information object, wherein the segment of a digital roadmap to which the location-based information object relates is displayed in the display area.