Touch Screen Navigation Device for Intuitive Route Recalculation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing in-car navigation systems require inconvenient and complex user interactions to initiate route recalculation, such as activating specific detour switches or manually sequencing through screens, which can be distracting and difficult for drivers to use while driving.

Innovation Solution

A navigation device with a touch screen interface that allows users to easily access a menu screen by touching the center of the screen, enabling quick and intuitive route recalculation options like avoiding roadblocks or specific roads, using large touch screen areas and graphical icons that can be selected with a single finger, minimizing driver distraction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a specific hardware detour switch is used to initiate route recalculation, then the route recalculation can be initiated, but the user interaction becomes inconvenient and complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of initiating route recalculationVSAvoidcomplexity of user interaction

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical hardware detour switch with a software-based touch screen interface. The touch screen display presents menu options that the user can select by touching the screen, eliminating the need for physical switches and complex manual sequencing through multiple screens. This substitution simplifies the user interaction while maintaining the route recalculation functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If manual sequencing through successive screens is required to preview the route, then the user can review the route details, but the process becomes time-consuming and distracting for the driver

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveroute verification accuracyVSAvoidtime for route recalculation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent displays the alternative route on the touch screen menu before the driver needs to make a decision. The system performs the route calculation and presents the complete alternative route information in advance, allowing the driver to review the details without needing to manually sequence through multiple successive screens during the driving process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the route preview and selection functions into a single integrated menu screen display. Instead of requiring the driver to navigate through multiple separate screens to review route details, the alternative route information is merged into one comprehensive view that can be reviewed and acted upon in a single interaction sequence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple touch actions are required to select route recalculation options, then the menu options can be clearly presented, but the driver distraction increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemenu option flexibilityVSAvoidease of use while driving

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a selection mechanism where the driver can initiate route recalculation with a single touch action to access the menu, and then select from presented options with additional touches. The system provides flexibility by offering multiple route recalculation options (avoiding next section, avoiding specific road, general alternative route) while requiring only minimal sequential touches compared to the complex manual sequencing of prior art.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS8019531B2Navigation device and method for displaying alternative routes

Publication Date: 2011.09.13 TOMTOM NAVIGATION BV

AI summary

A navigation device has a route re-calculation function. This is activated by the user touching the screen to task away from the normal navigation map mode to a menu screen which displays multiple types of route re-calculation options.