Navigation Range Marker for Fuel-Aware Gas Station Filtering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current navigation systems do not effectively help drivers determine which gas stations are within reach before running out of fuel, leading to potential stranded situations due to overwhelming options and lack of real-time range indicators.
Innovation Solution
A range marker system that calculates and displays a bounded area on a navigation map indicating the vehicle's reachable distance based on remaining fuel, highlighting nearby refueling stations within that range and removing those outside it as fuel levels decrease.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If current navigation systems display all available gas stations, then the driver receives complete information about refueling options, but the driver becomes overwhelmed and confused by too many displayed options
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complete list of gas stations into two distinct groups: reachable stations (within vehicle range) and unreachable stations (beyond vehicle range). This segmentation is achieved by calculating the vehicle's remaining range and comparing it against the distance to each gas station. The navigation system then displays only the reachable stations, automatically filtering out unreachable ones. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining complete information availability internally while presenting only relevant information to the driver, thus avoiding overwhelm.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by providing different information presentations based on the driver's specific situation (vehicle range). Instead of uniformly displaying all gas stations regardless of reachability, the system tailors the displayed information to the local condition of the vehicle's fuel state. The navigation display dynamically adjusts its content quality based on the driver's immediate needs and capabilities, showing detailed information only for reachable stations while omitting or minimizing information about unreachable ones.
2Ease of operation
If current navigation systems provide turn-by-turn directions without range indicators, then the navigation instructions remain simple and clear, but the driver cannot determine which gas stations are reachable before running out of fuel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the range indicator functionality with the existing turn-by-turn navigation system. Instead of creating a separate complex range display system, the invention integrates range information directly into the familiar navigation interface. The system combines distance calculations, fuel consumption data, and gas station location information to automatically determine and display reachable stations alongside the standard navigation instructions. This merging maintains the simplicity of the navigation interface while adding crucial range information.
Solution Approach 2:
The navigation system performs self-service by automatically calculating the vehicle's remaining range, identifying reachable gas stations, and filtering the display without requiring driver intervention. The system autonomously monitors fuel levels, computes distance to various gas stations, and dynamically updates the display to show only reachable options. This self-service approach maintains instructional simplicity while providing comprehensive range information.
3Reliability
If the navigation system displays all gas stations regardless of range, then no reachable stations are missed, but the driver may select a gas station that is out of range and become stranded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and identifying which gas stations are within the vehicle's remaining range before the driver makes a selection. The system proactively filters out unreachable stations from the display, preventing the driver from even considering options that would lead to being stranded. This preliminary filtering action occurs automatically based on real-time fuel level and range calculations, ensuring that only viable refueling options are presented to the driver.
Solution Approach 2:
The navigation system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the vehicle's fuel level and remaining range, then dynamically updating the display of reachable gas stations. As the vehicle consumes fuel and its range decreases, the system provides real-time feedback by adjusting which stations remain visible and selectable. This feedback mechanism ensures that the driver always has accurate, up-to-date information about reachable refueling options, preventing selection of stations that have become unreachable due to fuel consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
Devices, methods and systems are disclosed herein to describe a range marker for a navigation system. The range marker may delineate a bounded area within a navigation map that a vehicle may travel based on the amount of fuel remaining. As the fuel continues to decrease during operation of the vehicle, the range marker may become smaller and smaller indicating a shrinking range since the fuel remaining decreases, thereby allowing the driver to easily identify which gas stations may be within a range of the vehicle (based on a current vehicle fuel level) and which gas stations might not be within the range of the vehicle.