Removable Navigation Unit with In-Vehicle Interface Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Portable navigation devices used in vehicles face challenges with small displays and controls that are difficult to read and operate while mounted, and audio signals may be drowned out by other vehicle sounds, making navigation less effective for drivers.

Innovation Solution

A navigation system comprising a removable portable navigation unit that connects with an in-vehicle system, switching its display to the in-vehicle screen, controls to the in-vehicle interface, sound to the in-vehicle speakers, and GPS signal to the in-vehicle antenna, enhancing usability and accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the navigation device is made compact and portable, then portability is improved, but the display size and control accessibility deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice sizeVSAvoiddisplay readability and control accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The navigation system is divided into two functional parts: a compact portable navigation unit containing the GPS receiver, processor, and navigation logic, and a separate vehicle-mounted display unit with large screen and controls. This segmentation allows the navigation brain to remain small while the display and controls can be large and accessible when mounted in the vehicle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A wireless communication link (infrared or other wireless technology) serves as an intermediary between the portable navigation unit and the vehicle display unit. This intermediary allows data transfer and control signal transmission without physical connection, enabling the two units to work together while maintaining the portability of the navigation unit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the navigation device is mounted in the vehicle, then navigation function is improved, but audio output quality deteriorates due to vehicle noise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenavigation functionVSAvoidvehicle noise interference

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The wireless communication link also serves as an audio transmission medium, carrying navigation audio outputs from the portable unit to the vehicle's audio system. This intermediary transmission method allows the audio to be delivered directly to the vehicle speakers, bypassing the limitation of the portable unit's small speaker and reducing the impact of vehicle noise on audio quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS7606660B2In-vehicle navigation system with removable navigation unit

Publication Date: 2009.10.20 ALPINE ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

A navigation system includes an in-vehicle portion and a removable navigational unit, where the removable navigation unit is a portable device with navigation capability on its own. The removable navigation unit is capable of being connected to the in-vehicle portion through an navigation interface to perform the navigation function in combination with the in-vehicle portion. The removable navigation unit seamlessly integrates with the in-vehicle portion of the vehicle to provide portability of navigation function when used independently from the in-vehicle portion, and taking advantage of the components of in-vehicle portion when used in conjunction with the in-vehicle portion.