Navigation System Time Zone Traffic Data Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Navigation systems face inaccuracies in route search and travel time calculations due to changes in traffic congestion conditions and differing time zones or holiday observances, leading to incorrect statistical traffic data usage when vehicles cross into new zones or regions.
Innovation Solution
A navigation system that stores and processes statistical traffic data based on specific time zones and holiday categories for both the start and destination points, using a clocking unit to account for local standards and converting time points to match destination standards for accurate route calculations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the route search is executed by using statistical traffic data based upon the current time point in the start point time zone, then the route search can be executed simply and quickly, but the estimated time of arrival becomes inaccurate when the vehicle crosses into a different time zone or region with different holiday observances
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-stores multiple statistical traffic data sets corresponding to different time zones and holiday categories before route search. When a route search is initiated, the system proactively determines the destination time zone and holiday category, converts the departure time to the corresponding standard, and selects the appropriate pre-stored statistical traffic data set. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for real-time data conversion during route calculation, maintaining accuracy while avoiding computational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces a time zone and holiday category conversion mechanism as an intermediary between the user's input time and the statistical traffic data selection. This intermediary component automatically identifies the destination's time zone and holiday observances, converts the departure time to the corresponding local standard, and maps it to the appropriate pre-stored data set. This intermediary layer isolates the complexity of time zone conversions from the route search algorithm, enabling accurate ETOA calculation without complicating the core navigation functionality.
2Reliability
If statistical traffic data is stored for multiple time zones and holiday categories, then accurate route search can be performed across different regions, but the data storage requirement and processing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments statistical traffic data into distinct groups based on time zone and holiday category combinations. Each segment corresponds to a specific destination region and its associated temporal characteristics. This segmentation allows the system to store data in an organized manner, retrieving only the relevant segment based on the destination and departure time, rather than searching through all possible data sets. This reduces effective storage requirements and improves retrieval efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses parameter changes in the form of time zone identifiers and holiday category labels to organize and select statistical traffic data. By indexing data sets with these parameters, the system can efficiently match the destination's time zone and holiday observances with the corresponding pre-stored data. This parameter-based organization allows compact storage where each data set is tagged with its applicable region and temporal characteristics, reducing redundant storage while maintaining comprehensive coverage.
3Measurement precision
If the navigation system converts departure time to destination local standard time, then the estimated time of arrival is accurate for international routes, but the time conversion processing adds computational overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs time zone conversion in advance, before the route search is executed. When the user inputs a departure time, the system immediately converts it to the destination's local standard time based on the destination's time zone and any applicable daylight saving time or holiday observances. This converted time is then used to select the appropriate pre-stored statistical traffic data set. By performing this conversion preliminarily, the system avoids repeated computational overhead during the route search process, maintaining high accuracy while minimizing processing time impact.
Data Source
AI summary
A navigation system includes: a storage unit having stored therein roadmap data, first statistical traffic information data pertaining to a first area which are created based upon a first standard related to a time applicable to the first area, and second statistical traffic information data pertaining to a second area which are created based upon a second standard related to a time applicable to the second area; a search unit that searches for a recommended route; and an estimated time of arrival calculation unit that calculates an estimated time of arrival based upon the roadmap data, the first statistical traffic information data and the second statistical traffic information data. The estimated time of arrival calculation unit executes calculation processing of the estimated time of arrival in compliance with the first standard and the second standard.