Server-Based Navigation Guidance for Low-End Portable Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Low-end portable electronic devices without a map database are limited in providing navigation guidance to users during outdoor activities, as they can only track waypoints and not offer route planning or distinguish directions at intersections, making them less functional and more expensive than high-end devices.

Innovation Solution

A server-based system that processes track files uploaded by users, adding navigation points to provide bi-directional turn-by-turn navigation guidance and graphical depictions of intersections, which are then downloaded to the device, allowing it to offer navigation guidance without an internal map database.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a map database is included in the portable electronic device, then navigation guidance functionality is improved, but device cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenavigation guidance functionalityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The map database is extracted from the portable electronic device and relocated to a remote server. The device only retains minimal navigation components (GPS receiver, processing software), while the complex map database resides externally, reducing device complexity while maintaining navigation functionality through server communication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

A remote server acts as an intermediary between the portable electronic device and the map database. The server receives location data from the device, performs route computation using the map database, and returns navigation instructions to the device, enabling full navigation functionality without embedding the database in the device itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a map database is included in the portable electronic device, then route planning capability is improved, but battery power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveroute planning capabilityVSAvoidbattery power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The computationally intensive route planning function is extracted from the portable device and transferred to the remote server. The device only performs lightweight location tracking and communicates with the server, significantly reducing battery power consumption while maintaining route planning capability through server processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The local computational mechanics in the device are replaced with remote server-based computation. Instead of the device's processor continuously analyzing map data and computing routes, the server performs these operations remotely, reducing the energy burden on the device's battery while maintaining sophisticated route planning functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of manufacture

If navigation guidance is provided without a map database, then device cost is reduced, but ability to distinguish directions at intersections is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice costVSAvoidintersection direction information

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The remote server acts as an intermediary that provides intersection direction information to the device. The server accesses the map database, identifies upcoming intersections along the computed route, and sends detailed direction information to the device, enabling the device to provide comprehensive intersection guidance without locally storing map data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The server performs preliminary analysis of the route and map data to identify all upcoming intersections and prepare direction information in advance. This pre-computed intersection information is then transmitted to the device, allowing the device to display accurate intersection directions without needing to perform real-time map analysis or store map databases locally.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS9194715B2System and related method for offering navigation guidance

Publication Date: 2015.11.24 MITAC INT CORP

AI summary

A method of providing navigation guidance information to a user of a portable electronic device includes uploading a track file to a server, the track file containing a plurality of waypoints that form a track, adding a plurality of navigation points to the plurality of waypoints to produce a modified track file, the plurality of navigation points providing navigation guidance to the user of the portable electronic device, and the plurality of navigation points containing data for creating a graphical depiction of intersections associated with the turn-by-turn navigation guidance. The method further includes downloading the modified track file to the portable electronic device, and providing bi-directional turn-by-turn navigation guidance to the user of the portable electronic device when the user reaches each of the plurality of navigation points as the user follows the path indicated by the modified track file.