Navigation Device Mount Detection Mode Switching

Solution Overview

Problem

Navigation devices often require cumbersome customization to switch between different modes of transportation, such as pedestrian and automotive, leading to inefficient use of operating modes.

Innovation Solution

A portable navigation device with a processor, location determining component, and mount detection circuitry that selects and presents appropriate operating modes based on the device's mounting status, allowing for seamless transitions between transportation modes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If navigation devices provide multiple operating modes for different transportation modes, then the device versatility is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for manual customization

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperating mode versatilityVSAvoidcustomization complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The navigation device automatically detects its mounting status through mount detection circuitry and selects the appropriate operating mode without requiring user intervention. The system serves itself by monitoring its own physical state and autonomously configuring the relevant display elements and navigation parameters for the detected transportation mode.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical/customization-based mode switching with an automated electronic detection system. Mount detection circuitry electronically senses the mounting status and triggers automatic mode selection, substituting the need for manual configuration steps with an electronic sensing and automatic response mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If manual customization is required to switch between operating modes, then the device can provide relevant information for each mode, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to tedious customization steps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemode-specific information relevanceVSAvoidmode switching convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The navigation device automatically detects its mounting status through mount detection circuitry and selects the appropriate operating mode without requiring user intervention. The system serves itself by monitoring its own physical state and autonomously configuring the relevant display elements and navigation parameters for the detected transportation mode.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary detection of mounting status and automatically configures the appropriate operating mode before the user needs to use the device. By detecting the mount status in advance and pre-configuring the relevant display elements and navigation parameters, the system eliminates the need for users to manually customize settings when switching between transportation modes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the device provides comprehensive customization options for different modes, then the information relevance is improved, but the loss of time increases due to the tedious customization process

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustomization capabilityVSAvoidmode switching time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The navigation device automatically detects its mounting status through mount detection circuitry and selects the appropriate operating mode without requiring user intervention. The system serves itself by monitoring its own physical state and autonomously configuring the relevant display elements and navigation parameters for the detected transportation mode.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary detection of mounting status and automatically configures the appropriate operating mode before the user needs to use the device. By detecting the mount status in advance and pre-configuring the relevant display elements and navigation parameters, the system eliminates the need for users to manually customize settings when switching between transportation modes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS8170790B2Apparatus for switching navigation device mode

Publication Date: 2012.05.01 GARMIN LTD(GB)

AI summary

A portable navigation device operable to present a plurality of operating modes. The device may include a display; a location determining component operable to determine a current geographic location of the navigation device; mount detection circuitry operable to determine a mounting status of the navigation device; and a processor coupled with the location determining component, the mount detection circuitry, and the display. The processor is operable to select one of a plurality of operating modes based on the determined mounting status and present information specific to the selected operating modes on the display.