Touchscreen Route Generation via Stroke Approximation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional navigation devices lack a quick and convenient method for users to create customized routes, limiting user control over route details and requiring extensive input for waypoint settings.
Innovation Solution
A method using a touch-sensitive screen to input a preferred route by stroking from a starting point to an ending point, generating a suggested navigation route by selecting streets that approximate the preferred route, and allowing fine-tuning adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If text input or pointing methods are used to define destination location, then the destination location can be identified, but the user cannot create customized routes with intermediate points and has limited control over route details
Solution Approach 1:
The route creation process is segmented into multiple touch points along the desired path. Instead of requiring users to input complete route details through text or multiple waypoints, the system divides the route into segments defined by sequential touch points on the map, allowing intuitive creation of customized routes with intermediate stops
Solution Approach 2:
The touch-sensitive screen serves as an intermediary between the user and the route creation system. By allowing users to directly touch and stroke the screen to indicate desired route paths, the system mediates the complex route planning process into simple visual interactions, enabling both ease of operation and route customization
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple waypoints are set to customize the route, then the user has great control over the generated route, but a great deal of time is spent entering waypoints and confirming the route
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary route generation based on the user's stroked path before final confirmation. The routing software automatically calculates the suggested navigation route that approximates the user-indicated path, presenting it for quick review and acceptance, thereby eliminating the need for manual waypoint entry and confirmation for each segment
Solution Approach 2:
The system copies the user's indicated path (stroked on the touch screen) and uses it as the basis for generating the navigation route. Instead of requiring precise waypoint input, the system creates a route that approximates the copied path, significantly reducing the time and effort required for route creation while maintaining customization
3Productivity
If the navigation device creates a simple straight line route to the destination, then the route generation is quick, but the user cannot create customized routes to their satisfaction
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the route generation process based on user input. Instead of always creating simple straight lines, the routing software adapts to the user's stroked path and generates customized routes that approximate the indicated route while maintaining quick generation speeds through automated calculation
Data Source
AI summary
A method of generating a suggested navigation route with a portable electronic device includes presenting a map to a user on a touch-sensitive screen of the portable electronic device, and receiving touch input from a user stroking the touch-sensitive screen from a touch-down location corresponding to a starting point on the map to a release location corresponding to an ending point on the map for indicating a location of a preferred route, the preferred route beginning with the starting point and finishing with the ending point. The method further includes generating the suggested navigation route by selecting streets for the suggested navigation route according to the preferred route in order to closely approximate the preferred route, presenting the suggested navigation route to the user on the touch-sensitive screen, and providing navigation assistance to the user for guiding the user along the suggested navigation route.