Portable Navigation Device Coupling with On-Board Unit for Sensor Data Fusion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing satellite navigation systems for vehicles are either costly and limited to vehicle use or inexpensive but lack integration with vehicle data and ergonomic interfaces, while portable systems cannot utilize vehicle sensors for navigation refinement and are not ergonomically safe during driving.

Innovation Solution

A portable satellite navigation device that can couple with a vehicle's on-board unit to acquire movement data, enabling integrated navigation using dead reckoning, and switch between autonomous and assisted operational modes for satellite and vehicle data fusion, ensuring seamless navigation both on and off the vehicle.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a complete on-board navigation system is integrated in the vehicle, then navigation performance and safety are improved, but cost increases and the system cannot be used outside the vehicle

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenavigation safetyVSAvoidusability outside vehicle
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The navigation system is divided into two independent parts: a portable navigation device that can function autonomously and an on-board unit that provides additional vehicle data when available. The portable device contains all essential navigation components (satellite receiver, processor, display) and can operate independently, while the on-board unit supplements it with vehicle sensor data when coupled together.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The portable navigation device is designed to serve multiple purposes: it functions as a standalone navigation device when used independently and as an integrated navigation system when coupled with the on-board unit. This multi-functionality allows the same device to provide navigation services both inside and outside the vehicle without requiring separate systems.

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If an inexpensive portable navigation device is used, then cost is reduced and versatility is improved, but navigation accuracy deteriorates due to lack of vehicle data integration

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveportabilityVSAvoidnavigation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The navigation system dynamically adapts its operation mode based on availability of vehicle data. When coupled with the on-board unit and vehicle movement data is available, the system switches to assisted mode using dead reckoning algorithms that combine satellite positioning with vehicle sensor data for enhanced accuracy. When vehicle data is unavailable, it automatically operates in autonomous mode using only satellite positioning, ensuring continuous functionality with varying precision levels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If a portable navigation device is used during driving, then versatility is improved, but ergonomic safety deteriorates due to lack of integrated controls

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveusability anywhereVSAvoidergonomic safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

When the portable navigation device is coupled with the on-board unit, the vehicle's existing ergonomic interfaces (steering wheel controls, dashboard display, voice recognition system) serve as intermediaries between the user and the navigation function. This allows the driver to interact with the navigation system through familiar, safety-oriented controls rather than manipulating a separate portable device, thereby maintaining ergonomic safety while preserving versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP1870672B1A method for operating a navigation system.
Publication Date: 2014.07.30 FAB ITAL MAGNETI MARELLI SPA
  • EP1870672B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~2
  • EP1870672B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP1870672B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

There is described an integrated navigation system, comprising a portable navigation device (10) and an on-board unit (20) adapted to acquire data regarding the movement of a vehicle from a plurality of on-board sensors, in which the portable navigation device (10) and the on-board unit (20) comprise associated communication means (C', C") for transmitting data between them. The portable navigation device (10) includes a detection module (D) for detecting the presence of an on-board unit (20) within a predetermined operational communication range, which module is adapted to automatically establish a communication link (L) with the abovementioned on-board unit (20) in the event of a detected presence, and is adapted to assume a first autonomous operational configuration, in which the navigation data are calculated on the basis of the current position of the device (10) determined via its own satellite positioning module (SP), and a second assisted operational configuration, in which the navigation data are calculated on the basis of vehicle movement data acquired at the on-board unit (20) by the on-board sensors.