Radial Map Detail Adjustment for Mobile Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Small displays on mobile communication devices struggle to effectively convey location information, either lacking detail when zoomed out or context when zoomed in, hindering navigation.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that obtain location information to determine a focal point on a map, adjusting the map's detail and scale radially from this point, allowing for dynamic display of context and detail based on device orientation, velocity, and user input, using GPS, compass, and Doppler units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the map is zoomed out to show more context, then the area coverage is improved, but the detail and scale of the map deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making different regions of the map display at different scales. The area around the user's current location (focal point) is displayed with high detail and large scale, while areas progressively farther away are displayed with decreasing detail and smaller scale. This allows the map to simultaneously provide both contextual overview and navigational detail within the same display area.
2Manufacturing precision
If the map is zoomed in to show more detail, then the map detail and scale are improved, but the area coverage deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making different regions of the map display at different scales. The area around the user's current location (focal point) is displayed with high detail and large scale, while areas progressively farther away are displayed with decreasing detail and smaller scale. This allows the map to simultaneously provide both contextual overview and navigational detail within the same display area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a traditional two-dimensional map view to a pseudo-three-dimensional perspective where scale varies with distance from the focal point. This dimensional change allows the map to represent both near and far areas with appropriate detail levels, effectively adding a scale dimension to the traditional flat map display.
3Loss of information
If the display size is increased to show both context and detail, then the information capacity is improved, but the device portability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the map scale and detail dynamically adjustable based on the user's location and movement. The focal point moves with the user, and the scale transitions dynamically as the user navigates, allowing the display to adapt its information capacity to current navigational needs rather than requiring a fixed large display size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the display parameter of scale radially from the focal point, creating a continuous gradient of detail levels. This parameter change allows the system to optimize information display for different navigational contexts without physically changing the display size, maintaining portability while maximizing information capacity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method may include obtaining location information associated with a device, determining a focal point for a map based on the location information, displaying the focal point on the map, and decreasing a detail or a scale on the map as a radial distance from the focal point increases.