Route Guidance Using Landmark Reference Points

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional route guidance systems fail to provide users with an intuitive understanding of their overall travel route, relying solely on turn-by-turn directions, which can be distracting and difficult to follow, especially when landmarks or recognizable features are not utilized effectively.

Innovation Solution

The system incorporates user-selected or determined reference points, such as landmarks, into route guidance, providing information on these points to help users navigate more intuitively, allowing them to understand the entire route and its progression without needing detailed turn-by-turn instructions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If turn-by-turn directions are provided without reference points, then navigation instructions are clear at intersections, but users cannot understand the overall travel route

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoverall route understandingVSAvoidguidance system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The route guidance system segments the navigation information into two distinct layers: turn-by-turn directional instructions for immediate navigation decisions at intersections, and reference points (landmarks) for overall route understanding. This segmentation allows users to process information at appropriate granularities without cognitive overload.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Reference points act as intermediary elements between the user and the route information. Instead of presenting raw coordinate data or complex route descriptions, the system uses recognizable landmarks as mediators that bridge the gap between abstract navigation data and user comprehension, making the overall route tangible and memorable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If detailed turn-by-turn instructions are provided, then navigation accuracy at intersections is improved, but user distraction increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenavigation accuracyVSAvoiduser distraction

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies partial action by providing turn-by-turn instructions only at critical decision points (intersections) rather than continuous commentary. Reference points are provided selectively at key locations along the route, allowing users to receive sufficient guidance without excessive information that would cause distraction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

Reference points are provided in advance before users reach intersections, allowing them to mentally prepare for upcoming maneuvers. This preliminary information about landmarks ahead gives users time to process the overall route context without being surprised by sudden directional changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If reference points are added to route guidance, then user recognition and understanding are improved, but information processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser understandingVSAvoidinformation processing

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses visual copies or representations of reference points (landmarks) that users can recognize from real-world experience. Instead of describing landmarks with complex verbal descriptions, the system presents simplified visual cues or iconic representations that preserve essential recognition features while reducing processing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS9677900B2Method and apparatus for providing route guidance using reference points

Publication Date: 2017.06.13 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

Disclosed is a method and device for providing a route guidance. Information on a plurality of user inputted route points may be obtained. One or more reference points, such as landmarks, may be determined based at least on the obtained information. Route guidance may be provided, which includes information on the reference points, thereby providing users with a more intuitive route guidance.